nickel
noun
nick·el ˈni-kəl 
variants or less commonly nickle
1
: a silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst see Chemical Elements Table
2
a(1)
: the U.S. 5-cent piece regularly containing 25 percent nickel and 75 percent copper
(2)
: the Canadian 5-cent piece
b
: five cents
3
slang : a packet containing five dollars worth of an illicit drug (such as marijuana)
called also nickel bag
4
: a pass defense in football that employs five defensive backs
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The most frequent late-summer alignment had Mills and Jonathan Jones on the perimeter with Bryant at nickel. 
Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 Latavious Brini took over at safety with Blair, Jayden Johnson and Trent Gordon picking up Slusher's reps at nickel back. Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2022 Antonio Johnson might move to safety after earning second team All-America honors at nickel, tallying 78 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 5 PBUs. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 When Clark went down in training camp, Henderson knew Taylor would be a great fit at nickel because of his physical play. Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 30 Aug. 2022 The Bears seemed settled on starters Johnson, Vildor and Gordon — with Gordon able to play outside or at nickel — so the real question was which backups would make the cut. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 Donovan Kaufman was at nickel, while Jaylin Simpson and Nehemiah Pritchett were on the outside at corner. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 27 Aug. 2022 If Williams is at nickel, Bridges could be at deep safety or corner. oregonlive, 19 Aug. 2022 Volkswagen has sealed an agreement with Canada to secure access to raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, and lithium for vehicle and battery production, according to people familiar with the accord. BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2022 See More
Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 Latavious Brini took over at safety with Blair, Jayden Johnson and Trent Gordon picking up Slusher's reps at nickel back. Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2022 Antonio Johnson might move to safety after earning second team All-America honors at nickel, tallying 78 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 5 PBUs. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 When Clark went down in training camp, Henderson knew Taylor would be a great fit at nickel because of his physical play. Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 30 Aug. 2022 The Bears seemed settled on starters Johnson, Vildor and Gordon — with Gordon able to play outside or at nickel — so the real question was which backups would make the cut. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 Donovan Kaufman was at nickel, while Jaylin Simpson and Nehemiah Pritchett were on the outside at corner. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 27 Aug. 2022 If Williams is at nickel, Bridges could be at deep safety or corner. oregonlive, 19 Aug. 2022 Volkswagen has sealed an agreement with Canada to secure access to raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, and lithium for vehicle and battery production, according to people familiar with the accord. BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
probably from Swedish nickel, from German Kupfernickel niccolite (mineral containing nickel arsenide), probably from Kupfer copper + Nickel goblin; from the deceptive copper color of niccolite
First Known Use
1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing nickel
Kids Definition
nickel
noun
nick·el ˈni-kəl
1
: a hard silvery white metallic chemical element that can be highly polished, resists weathering, and is used in alloys
2
: a United States coin worth five cents
Medical Definition
nickel
noun
nick·el ˈnik-əl
: a silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst —symbol Ni see Chemical Elements Table