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

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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

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Compare meaning

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

• alumina vs. aluminum

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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

See Examples For:

aluminum

“We always call aluminum ‘solid electricity,’” said Jérôme Pécresse, who runs Rio’s aluminum, lithium and Canadian businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

Some aerospace, high-tech and military applications require the purity of primary aluminum, leaving the U.S. dependent on imports to meet some of its most critical needs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

The U.S. has been adding aluminum recycling plants, which melt old cans and scrap.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

Much of the Canadian aluminum entering the U.S. comes from Rio’s Saguenay operation, which ships about 70% of its output across the border.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

With a mixture of awe and envy, we watched her broiling away on her aluminum blanket.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

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Related Words

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