copper

1 of 3

noun (1)

cop·​per ˈkä-pər How to pronounce copper (audio)
plural coppers
Synonyms of coppernext
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
: police officer

Synonyms of copper

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Noun (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Tantalizing opportunities may be found in copper-oxide ceramics known as cuprates, but achieving them requires first understanding how the superconducting phenomenon emerges at relatively warm temperatures. — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026 Modern jeans emerged in the late 19th century, when Jacob Davis, a tailor in Reno, Nevada, reinforced the stress points of a pair of work pants with small copper rivets. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026 Think terracotta, copper, sunflower yellow, warm browns and deep olives. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 The agaves were cooked in a conical stone oven, milled using a tahona stone, fermented in pinewood vats for 10 days with wild yeast, and double distilled in copper pot stills. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing copper

Rhymes for copper

See All Rhymes for copper

Browse Nearby Words

Coppell
copper
copper acetate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Copper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copper. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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
: police officer

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
ˈkäp-(ə-)rē How to pronounce copper (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on copper

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about copper

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