ENGLISH
REFERENCE

aluminum

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate US //əˈɫumənəm// alu·minum Slang

n. a light, silver-colored metal that is used to make things like soda cans and kitchen foil. It is very common because it does not rust easily.

n. a lightweight, silvery-white metallic element noted for its low density and resistance to corrosion. This spelling is standard in American and Canadian English.


SIMPLE

The soda comes in an aluminum can.

CONTEXTUAL

Many modern bicycle frames are made from aluminum because it is much lighter than steel.

COMPLEX

The aerospace industry relies heavily on aluminum alloys to construct aircraft fuselages that are both structurally sound and light enough for fuel-efficient flight.

Synonyms
Origin

Coined by British chemist Humphry Davy in 1812, after the earlier 1807 New Latin form alumium. By surface analysis, Latin alumen + -um

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the metal as a material; can be countable when referring to specific industrial alloys.

Pitfall

an aluminium foilaluminum foilWhen used as a material name, it is uncountable and does not take an indefinite article.

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