Aluminum

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /É™.ˈlu.mɪ̆.ËŒnə̆m/

Alternative forms

• aluminium the spelling used in the sciences, and in everyday British English

Origin

Named in 1812 by British chemist Sir Humphry Davy who discovered it, after the earlier 1807 New Latin form alumium.

Chambers Dictionary of Etymology, Robert K. Barnhart (ed.), Chambers, 1988

Full definition of aluminum

Noun

1. A metallic chemical element (symbol Al) with an atomic number of 13.
2. (slang) Aircraft or other machinery made partially or wholly of aluminum.

Derived terms

• aluminum foil
• aluminum can