silicon

noun

sil·​i·​con ˈsi-li-kən  ˈsi-lə-ˌkän 

: 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

Christina Gourkani, a Kim Kardashian lookalike, died after receiving a silicon injection in a Burlingame hotel room on April 19, 2023. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Chipmakers use it to cool wafers — the discs of silicon printed with tiny electronic circuits. —ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

Joe Bedewi was appointed CFO of Morse Micro, a Wi-Fi HaLow silicon provider. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026

The localized heat and pressure trigger reactions between silicon and lithium salts. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing silicon

• silicon carbide
• silicon dioxide
• silicon nitride

Kids Definition

silicon

noun

sil·​i·​con ˈsil-i-kən 

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  ˈsil-ə-ˌkän 

: 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