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

This creates complementary logic circuits without lithography, etching, or high-temperature processes. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025

The company provides process control and yield management solutions for semiconductor industries, including defect inspection, metrology (the science of measurement), process monitoring, computational lithography, and data analytics products. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

According to the analyst, lithography intensity — or the number of exposures needed per wafer — will begin to increase in 2027 due to the upcoming production of the TSMC A14 logic node, meaning demand should be strong. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2025

European companies—including the Dutch semiconductor lithography giant ASML, the German enterprise software firm SAP, and the Swedish 5G provider Ericsson—occupy key chokepoints in technology stacks. —Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 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