silicon

noun

sil·​i·​con ˈsi-li-kən How to pronounce silicon (audio) ˈsi-lə-ˌkän How to pronounce silicon (audio)
: a tetravalent nonmetallic element with atomic number 14 that occurs combined as the most abundant element next to oxygen in the earth's crust and is used especially in semiconductors, in ferrosilicon for steelmaking, and in other alloys
—often used before another noun
silicon chips
silicon carbide
 see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of silicon 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.
Silicon Design in the Cloud: Rethinking an Industry Norm In a bold move, Marvell has begun shifting its silicon design processes to the cloud, something most semiconductor companies have resisted due to legacy workflows and infrastructure demands. — Peter High, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 In preparation for their 2018 paper, the Microsoft researchers ordered their DNA from a company called Twist, which had developed a silicon chip that has about the same area as a paperback. — Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025 The race to build artificial intelligence is driven by little silicon chips called GPUs, which were originally created for video games. — Cade Metz, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2025 The dielectric constant of silicon is 11.9, much higher than that of air (1), and as a result, terahertz waves are reflected at the interface between silicon and air. — IEEE Spectrum, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for silicon

Word History

Etymology

New Latin silica + English -on (as in carbon)

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silicon was in 1814

Phrases Containing silicon

Browse Nearby Words

silicomanganese
silicon
silicon bronze
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Silicon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silicon. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

silicon

noun
sil·​i·​con ˈsil-i-kən How to pronounce silicon (audio)
ˈsil-ə-ˌkän
: a nonmetallic element that occurs combined as the most abundant element after oxygen in the earth's crust and is used especially in alloys and electronic devices see element

Medical Definition

silicon

noun
sil·​i·​con ˈsil-i-kən How to pronounce silicon (audio) ˈsil-ə-ˌkän How to pronounce silicon (audio)
: a tetravalent nonmetallic element that occurs combined as the most abundant element next to oxygen in the earth's crust and is used especially in alloys
—symbol Si see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on silicon

Nglish: Translation of silicon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about silicon

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