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

The Dutch semiconductor equipment firm is the only company in the world that makes lithography machines required to manufacture the most advanced semiconductors. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026

Using this, the team built a real chip on it using standard chip-making processes like lithography. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026

These next-generation lithography tools represent the most intricate and costly manufacturing systems ever produced, with each system priced at approximately $380 million. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 Jan. 2026

In chip-making that includes the production of the next evolution of transistor design—nanosheet transistors—and the arrival of nanoimprint lithography. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 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