plural coppers
1
: a metallic chemical element with atomic number 29 that is easily formed into sheets and wires and is one of the best known conductors of heat and electricity
—often used before another noun
copper wire
a copper mug
copper mines
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 of copper
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
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Speaking of the formula, it’s enhanced with a variety of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and copper—think of it like your favorite sports drink, but for your face.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
Jenner’s almost molten looking, body-skimming column dress featured liquidy copper sequins all over, cut with a plunging neckline and sculptural halter straps that crisscrossed at the collarbone to frame the décolletage.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2026
But the north, Canadian side of the Great Lakes was the largely rocky Laurentian Shield, eventually rich in copper, nickel and other metals, but not great for agriculture.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for copper
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Noun
Perhaps this could be copper’s year?
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Speaking of the formula, it’s enhanced with a variety of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and copper—think of it like your favorite sports drink, but for your face.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
Jenner’s almost molten looking, body-skimming column dress featured liquidy copper sequins all over, cut with a plunging neckline and sculptural halter straps that crisscrossed at the collarbone to frame the décolletage.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2026
But the north, Canadian side of the Great Lakes was the largely rocky Laurentian Shield, eventually rich in copper, nickel and other metals, but not great for agriculture.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for copper
Cite this Entry
“Copper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copper. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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
: a metallic chemical element with atomic number 29 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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