lithography

noun

li·​thog·​ra·​phy li-ˈthä-grə-fē How to pronounce lithography (audio)
1
: the process of printing from a plane surface (such as a smooth stone or metal plate) on which the image to be printed is ink-receptive and the blank area ink-repellent
2
: the process of producing patterns on semiconductor crystals for use as integrated circuits

Examples of lithography in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web China’s top lithography system developer Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment Group Co. still lags a few generations behind what industry leader ASML is capable of. Cagan Koc, Fortune Asia, 8 Mar. 2024 The Netherlands has blocked chip-equipment manufacturer ASML’s exports to China of some lithography systems, which are essential to making advanced microprocessors, in a partial license revocation following U.S. export restrictions. Sherry Qin, WSJ, 2 Jan. 2024 Nano-imprint lithography, which basically stamps a pattern into a semiconductor, is useful in creating very regular patterns quickly. IEEE Spectrum, 20 June 2023 Meanwhile, there was also chatter of Chinese companies making progress on developing their own chip-making lithography machines. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Intel will be the first to get hold of the next generation of extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, a more advanced but still nascent technique for making more sophisticated chips, from the Dutch equipment maker ASML. Will Knight, WIRED, 22 Feb. 2024 Orders of its most advanced EUV lithography machines in the period were €5.6 billion. Cagan Koc, Fortune Europe, 24 Jan. 2024 Washington also successfully persuaded allies to stop the transfer of state-of-the-art lithography equipment used to produce cutting-edge semiconductors. Lionel Lim, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023 The Dutch government’s recent decision, for instance, to limit the export of Dutch lithography machines needed to produce top-performing semiconductor chips affected the entire EU. Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lithography.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

litho- + -graphy, after French lithographie or German Lithographie (now Lithografie)

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lithography was in 1813

Dictionary Entries Near lithography

Cite this Entry

“Lithography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lithography. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lithography

noun
li·​thog·​ra·​phy lith-ˈäg-rə-fē How to pronounce lithography (audio)
: a method of printing from a flat surface (as a smooth stone or metal plate) that has been prepared in such a way that only the areas meant to print will take ink

More from Merriam-Webster on lithography

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