plural coppers
often attributive
1
: a metallic chemical element that is easily formed into sheets and wires and is one of the best known conductors of heat and electricity see Chemical Elements Table
2
: a coin or token made of copper or bronze
3
chiefly British
: a large boiler (as for cooking)
4
: any of a subfamily (Lycaeninae of the family Lycaenidae) of small butterflies with usually copper-colored wings
Synonyms
Examples of copper in a Sentence
Noun (2)
a crime novel set in the days when policemen were coppers and safecrackers were "yeggs"
Recent Examples on the Web
The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 24 May 2024
When this occurs, acid and metals—including zinc, nickel, copper, cadmium, iron and aluminum—are released from the loosening soil and exposed to water and oxygen through weathering.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2024
The rooms are arranged around a central courtyard housing huge copper brewing kettles.
—Terri Colby, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2024
The center wall is covered in handmade washi paper, while a Japanese copper vase hangs in an arched opening.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 22 May 2024
Remove the pennies, wash them off, and admire their new shiny surface (courtesy of the chemical reaction of the vinegar, salt, and copper oxide).
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 22 May 2024
Minerals such as iron, calcium, iodine, magnesium, selenium, copper, molybdenum, and manganese can lead to serious side effects if consumed in excess.
—Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Verywell Health, 15 May 2024
In the older tombs, archaeologists found mirrors, coins, ornaments and spears made of copper, plows and swords made of iron, multiple types of pottery vases, and plates and lacquerware tiles.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2024
In metallurgy, there are standardized numbers indicating copper content, with N1 indicating straight-up yellow gold and higher numbers indicating more and more copper.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 May 2024
Noun
Now Santos and co have done it for copper, tungsten and tantalum and further advances look eminently possible.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 24 May 2024
When this occurs, acid and metals—including zinc, nickel, copper, cadmium, iron and aluminum—are released from the loosening soil and exposed to water and oxygen through weathering.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2024
The rooms are arranged around a central courtyard housing huge copper brewing kettles.
—Terri Colby, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2024
The center wall is covered in handmade washi paper, while a Japanese copper vase hangs in an arched opening.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 22 May 2024
Remove the pennies, wash them off, and admire their new shiny surface (courtesy of the chemical reaction of the vinegar, salt, and copper oxide).
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 22 May 2024
Minerals such as iron, calcium, iodine, magnesium, selenium, copper, molybdenum, and manganese can lead to serious side effects if consumed in excess.
—Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Verywell Health, 15 May 2024
In the older tombs, archaeologists found mirrors, coins, ornaments and spears made of copper, plows and swords made of iron, multiple types of pottery vases, and plates and lacquerware tiles.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2024
In metallurgy, there are standardized numbers indicating copper content, with N1 indicating straight-up yellow gold and higher numbers indicating more and more copper.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'copper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near copper
Cite this Entry
“Copper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copper. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
copper
1 of 2 noun
cop·per
ˈkäp-ər 
1
: a reddish metallic element that is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity see element
2
: a copper or bronze coin
3
chiefly British
: a large copper kettle or boiler
4
: any of various small butterflies with usually copper-colored wings
coppery
adjective
ˈkäp-(ə-)rē
copper
2 of 2 nounMedical Definition
copper
noun
cop·per
ˈkäp-ər
often attributive
: a common reddish metallic element that is ductile and malleable and one of the best conductors of heat and electricity
—symbol Cu
see Chemical Elements Table
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