alumina

noun

alu·​mi·​na ə-ˈlü-mə-nə 

: the oxide of aluminum Al₂O₃ that occurs both in pure form as corundum and in hydrated forms (as in bauxite)

Examples of alumina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The integrated alumina plant, equipped with its own power plant and jetty, is designed to produce up to 1.2 million tonnes of alumina during its initial phase. —Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

The top layer of the disk is a four-micrometer circle of 40-nanometer gold membrane resting on a small piece of alumina on layer of silicon deposited on silica. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Nov. 2019

Strikes hit an alumina refinery and damaged warehouses containing fuel and caustic soda, potentially leaking highly alkaline bauxite residue into the waterway. —Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2023

Producers refine an oxide from bauxite to create alumina, which is turned into aluminum metal at smelters. —Micah Maidenberg, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin alumin-, alumen alum

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

alumina

noun

alu·​mi·​na ə-ˈlü-mə-nə 

: the oxide of aluminum that occurs in nature as corundum and in bauxite and is used as a source of aluminum, as an abrasive, and as an absorbent

Medical Definition

alumina

noun

alu·​mi·​na ə-ˈlü-mə-nə 

: an oxide of aluminum Al₂O₃ that occurs native as corundum and in hydrated forms (as in bauxite) and is used in antacids

called also aluminum oxide