lithography

noun

li·​thog·​ra·​phy li-ˈthä-grə-fē 

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

According to reports, while no major damage has been confirmed so far, the next 48 hours will be critical as manufacturers inspect cleanrooms, recalibrate sensitive lithography equipment, and assess whether operations can safely resume without risking yield losses or contamination. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026

The Dutch maker of lithography machines used in making semiconductors also hiked its 2026 guidance. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026

However, previous rounds of export controls allowed sales of older, lower-grade machines that perform deep ultraviolet immersion lithography (DUV), which are capable of manufacturing very advanced — but not the most advanced — chips. —Jared Perlo, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026

That’s not even considering the single Dutch company that makes the high-tech lithography machines used to print virtually all AI chips, or the German company that makes the mirrors used in those machines. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lithography

• arthrography
• biography
• cartography
• cosmography
• cryptography
• demography
• discography
• echography
• ethnography
• filmography
• geography
• hydrography

Kids Definition

lithography

noun

li·​thog·​ra·​phy lith-ˈäg-rə-fē 

: 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