copper

1 of 3

noun (1)

cop·​per ˈkä-pər How to pronounce copper (audio)
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

copper

2 of 3

verb

coppered; coppering ˈkä-p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce copper (audio)

transitive verb

: to coat or sheathe with or as if with copper

copper

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural coppers

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Some Fort Worth neighborhoods keep losing internet for weeks because thieves have been stealing copper from cable lines. Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 5 Feb. 2025 North Queensland has large zinc reserves as well as major deposits of silver, lead, copper and iron ore, with Townsville a major processing center for the region’s base metals. Reuters, NBC News, 3 Feb. 2025 Finish off the look with brass and copper metal accents, which will patina over time. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2025 While the stick comes in 12 shades total, two are ideal for contouring: copper and obsidian. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for copper 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English coper, from Old English, from Late Latin cuprum copper, from Latin (aes) Cyprium, literally, Cyprian metal

Noun (2)

cop entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of copper was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near copper

Cite this Entry

“Copper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copper. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

copper

1 of 2 noun
cop·​per ˈkäp-ər How to pronounce copper (audio)
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
ˈkäp-(ə-)rē
adjective

copper

2 of 2 noun

Medical Definition

copper

noun
cop·​per ˈkäp-ər How to pronounce copper (audio)
: 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
coppery adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on copper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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