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

That efficiency is increasingly unlocked by materials engineering, not by chasing ever-smaller geometries with lithography alone. —Sundeep Bajikar, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Though Ohio Art eventually sold its toy business in 2016 to focus on its lithography business, the Etch A Sketch is still part of its roots. —Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025

As a representative for his lithography company, Stewart made dozens of trips abroad, oftentimes traveling first class. —Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

But imitating existing lithography tools could take years, if not decades, to achieve, Koch said. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 12 June 2025

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