germanium

noun

ger·​ma·​ni·​um (ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm How to pronounce germanium (audio)
: a grayish-white hard brittle metalloid element that resembles silicon and is used especially in optical and semiconductor materials and as a catalyst see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of germanium in a Sentence

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.
Gallium and germanium are byproducts of other ores – zinc for gallium, lignite coal for germanium. Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025 These curbs will be expanded in October 2023 and December 2024 — when China responds with a ban of U.S. exports for various high-tech materials like gallium and germanium. TIME, 8 Mar. 2025 At the same time, Washington needs to better incentivize the development of substitutes for natural resources now sourced from China, such as the rare-earth metals gallium and germanium. Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025 The three minerals included in the latest ban are the metals gallium and germanium, as well as the metalloid antimony. Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for germanium

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin Germania Germany

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of germanium was in 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Germanium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germanium. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

germanium

noun
ger·​ma·​ni·​um (ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm How to pronounce germanium (audio)
: a grayish white hard brittle element used especially as a semiconductor see element

Medical Definition

germanium

noun
ger·​ma·​ni·​um (ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm How to pronounce germanium (audio)
: a grayish white hard brittle metalloid element that resembles silicon and is used as a semiconductor
symbol Ge
see Chemical Elements Table

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