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
Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Average caskets run between $2,000 and $5,000 in the United States, but some made of mahogany, bronze or copper can cost upward of $10,000, according to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Consumer Advice department.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Over 7,000 pounds of copper have settled into the riverbed, according to the study, potentially remaining toxic.
—Alex Music
august 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2025
Aluminum, glass and copper cookware will not work on an induction stove.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for copper
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Noun
From more sanitary and reliable health care products to light-weight (and hence energy efficient) infrastructure, plastics have been just as transformative in their benefits to humanity as bronze or copper or iron.
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Average caskets run between $2,000 and $5,000 in the United States, but some made of mahogany, bronze or copper can cost upward of $10,000, according to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Consumer Advice department.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Over 7,000 pounds of copper have settled into the riverbed, according to the study, potentially remaining toxic.
—Alex Music
august 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2025
Aluminum, glass and copper cookware will not work on an induction stove.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 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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