# bauxite

/ˈbɔksaɪt/ (US) · /bˈɔːksaɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bauxite
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a type of rock that is the main source of aluminum. It is usually found in tropical areas and is mined to make things like cans and airplane parts.

For teachers: an aluminum-rich rock and the primary ore of aluminum. It is typically found in tropical and subtropical climates and is processed through the Bayer process to extract alumina.

## Examples

- The factory uses bauxite to produce aluminum cans.
- Large-scale mining operations in the region focus on extracting bauxite to support the global demand for lightweight metals.
- The geological formation of bauxite requires specific conditions, including high rainfall and intense chemical weathering, which concentrate aluminum hydroxides in the soil over millions of years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
