aluminum

[uh-loo-muh-nuh m] /əˈlu mə nəm/
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. Symbol: Al; atomic weight: 26.98; atomic number: 13; specific gravity: 2.70 at 20°C.
Abbreviation: alum.;
adjective
2.
of, relating to, or containing aluminum:
an aluminum frying pan.
Also, especially British, aluminium.
Origin
1812; < New Latin, alteration, by Humphry Davy, of alumium, which was first proposed; aluminium formed after other metals in -ium. See alumina, -ium
Related forms
aluminic
[al-yuh-min-ik] /ˌæl yəˈmɪn ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
Examples from the web for aluminum
  • How about who ever let the aluminum plant build an above ground, open air, storage pool held in only by an earthen wall.
  • If you have the time, it is a comfortable alternative to a crowded aluminum tube.
  • aluminum cans are easy to collect and recycle, but many people throw them out anyway.
  • In preparation for transport, the prospectors then wrapped the sections in layers of tissue paper, aluminum foil and plaster.
  • The case is machined from aluminum held together with stainless steel screws and filled with low-density foam.
  • Recyclers send aluminum to material recovery facilities.
  • Your aluminum example is economically inappropriate.
  • Some people also use aluminum foil instead of clips to connect the two ends with aluminum foil.
  • As for how the aluminum powder sticks to the window, well, it pretty much sticks to everything.
  • Also, now is the time to take those aluminum cans that have been building up into a pyramid to the recycle bin.
British Dictionary definitions for aluminum

aluminium

/ˌæljʊˈmɪnɪəm/
noun
1.
a light malleable ductile silvery-white metallic element that resists corrosion; the third most abundant element in the earth's crust (8.1 per cent), occurring only as a compound, principally in bauxite. It is used, esp in the form of its alloys, in aircraft parts, kitchen utensils, etc. Symbol: Al; atomic no: 13; atomic wt: 26.9815; valency: 3; relative density: 2.699; melting pt: 660.45°C; boiling pt: 2520°C
Word Origin and History for aluminum
n.

1812, coined by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829), from alumina, name given 18c. to aluminum oxide, from Latin alumen "alum" (see alum). Davy originally called it alumium (1808), then amended this to aluminum, which remains the U.S. word, but British editors in 1812 further amended it to aluminium, the modern preferred British form, to better harmonize with other metallic element names (sodium, potassium, etc.).

Aluminium, for so we shall take the liberty of writing the word, in preference to aluminum, which has a less classical sound. ["Quarterly Review," 1812]

aluminum in Medicine

aluminum a·lu·mi·num (ə-lōō'mə-nəm)
n.
Symbol Al
A silvery-white, ductile metallic element, found chiefly in bauxite. A good conductor, it is used in light, corrosion-resistant alloys. Atomic number 13; atomic weight 26.98; melting point 660.3°C; boiling point 2,519°C; specific gravity 2.70; valence 3.

aluminum in Science
aluminum
  (ə-l'mə-nəm)   
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 26.98; melting point 660.2°C (1,220.36°F); boiling point 2,467°C; specific gravity 2.69; valence 3. See Periodic Table.