Word

aluminium

noun C1

/ˌæl.(j)ʊˈmɪn.i.əm/

Meanings

noun

a light, silvery metal used to make many products, especially where low weight and resistance to corrosion are important

aluminium: a light, silvery metal used to make many products, especially where low weight and resistance to corrosion are im…

noun

a chemical element with the symbol Al, used in science and industry

Definition

Aluminium is a lightweight, silvery metal used widely for making products like cans, foil, and aircraft parts.

Aluminium is a light, strong metal with a silvery appearance. It does not rust in the same way as iron because it forms a protective surface layer. People use it to make everyday items such as drink cans, kitchen foil, window frames, and parts for vehicles and aircraft.

Examples

I chose an aluminium laptop because it feels sturdy without being heavy.
You can recycle aluminium cans repeatedly with minimal loss of quality.
She wrapped the leftovers in aluminium foil to keep them fresh overnight.
They replaced the old wooden frames with aluminium ones to reduce maintenance.

Common mistake

Learners often misspell it as "aluminum" in British English contexts, where "aluminium" is the standard spelling.