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
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
Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration has already replaced copper wires with fiber lines at Newark Liberty Airport, and they are being tested.
—Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2025
The breakdown was caused by failures in the copper wiring that transmits information from Long Island to Philadelphia, a source told CNN.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
With an art vending machine, a copper still for homemade gin, and a one-time jail cell turned tasting room, the palatial new Rosewood Amsterdam is a Dutch delight.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for copper
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Noun
The lines — some of which were old copper wires — failed a third time on Sunday, but that time the backup system worked and the radar stayed online.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration has already replaced copper wires with fiber lines at Newark Liberty Airport, and they are being tested.
—Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2025
The breakdown was caused by failures in the copper wiring that transmits information from Long Island to Philadelphia, a source told CNN.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
With an art vending machine, a copper still for homemade gin, and a one-time jail cell turned tasting room, the palatial new Rosewood Amsterdam is a Dutch delight.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for copper
Cite this Entry
“Copper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copper. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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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