aluminum

American  

[uh-loo-muh-nuhm] / əˈlu mə nəm /

British, aluminium

noun

1. Chemistry. a silver-white metallic element, light in weight, ductile, malleable, and not readily corroded or tarnished, occurring combined in nature in igneous rock, shale, clay, and most soil: used in alloys and for lightweight utensils, castings, airplane parts, etc. alum.; Al; 26.98; 13; 2.70 at 20°C.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing aluminum.

   an aluminum frying pan.

aluminum Scientific  

/ ə-lo̅o̅′mə-nəm /

1. Symbol Al A lightweight, silvery-white metallic element that is ductile, is found chiefly in bauxite, and is a good conductor of electricity. It is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust and is used to make a wide variety of products from soda cans to airplane components. Atomic number 13; atomic weight 26.9815; melting point 660.3°C (1,220.5°F); boiling point 2,519°C; specific gravity 2.70; valence 3.

2. See Periodic Table

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Other Word Forms

• aluminic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of aluminum

1812; from New Latin; aluminum was an alteration, by Humphry Davy, of alumium, which was first proposed; the chiefly British variant aluminium was formed after other metals in -ium. See alumina, -ium

Compare meaning

How does aluminum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• alumina vs. aluminum

Explanation

Aluminum is a relatively lightweight type of silver-colored metal. Most soda cans are made out of aluminum. Aluminum is the most abundant metal in Earth's crust. Because it is lightweight, durable, and highly pliable, it is used in everything from airplane parts and foil to bicycles and high-voltage power lines. Its name is derived from alumina (aluminum oxide), which traces back to the Latin word alumen, meaning "bitter salt."

Example Sentences

Auto makers are increasingly using aluminum wiring due to copper prices rising over 20% and aluminum over 100% in a year.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

Still, aluminum is less than $1.50 per pound.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

The use of more aluminum is an example of how high commodity prices lead engineers to seek alternatives, thereby lowering demand for the high-priced commodity.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

Negotiations with those nations focused largely on national-security tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles that fall under the Commerce Department’s authority.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

I flatten myself against the aluminum siding of a Mercury Home when a searchlight passes.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• bottle
• bucket
• canister
• jar
• package