germanium

noun

ger·​ma·​ni·​um (ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm 

: 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

For example, Belgium has emerged as a possible re-export hub that appears to pass germanium—one of the minerals Beijing first restricted in 2023—from China to the US, according to trade data. —ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025

Gallium and germanium aren’t exactly household names. —Maddie Stone, WIRED, 15 Feb. 2025

But in response to Biden’s chip ban, China restricted exports of vital materials like germanium, gallium, and antimony, which are essential in semiconductor and industrial manufacturing. —Jackie Snow, Quartz, 8 Feb. 2025

In July 2023, China restricted exports of gallium and germanium, used in chips, radars, and satellites, in what was seen as a response to American restrictions on technology sales and transfers. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin Germania Germany

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for germanium

• geranium
• titanium
• uranium
• cranium
• transuranium

Kids Definition

germanium

noun

ger·​ma·​ni·​um (ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm 

: 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 

: a grayish white hard brittle metalloid element that resembles silicon and is used as a semiconductor

—symbol Ge see Chemical Elements Table