silica

sil·i·ca | \ ˈsi-li-kə

Definition of silica

: the dioxide of silicon SiO₂ occurring in crystalline, amorphous, and impure forms (as in quartz, opal, and sand respectively)

Examples of silica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Higher intakes of silica, a mineral found in quartz, is linked to higher bone density. — Christy Brissette, chicagotribune.com, "There’s no solid evidence alkaline water is better for you," 29 Aug. 2019 Higher intakes of silica, a mineral found in quartz, is linked to higher bone density. — Christy Brissette, Washington Post, "Is alkaline water really better for you?," 28 Aug. 2019 Researchers have postulated that bone health effects of certain types of water could be due to higher calcium content or the presence of silica in some alkaline water. — Christy Brissette, chicagotribune.com, "There’s no solid evidence alkaline water is better for you," 29 Aug. 2019 The dominant type of cement out there is called Portland cement, which is formed by combining calcium oxide with silica in a kiln at an even higher temperature. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Splitting water to make cement could clean up a dirty industry," 17 Sep. 2019 Researchers have postulated that bone health effects of certain types of water could be due to higher calcium content or the presence of silica in some alkaline water. — Christy Brissette, chicagotribune.com, "There’s no solid evidence alkaline water is better for you," 29 Aug. 2019 Researchers have postulated that bone health effects of certain types of water could be due to higher calcium content or the presence of silica in some alkaline water. — Christy Brissette, Washington Post, "Is alkaline water really better for you?," 28 Aug. 2019 Sand mining can also pose a human health risk in the form of silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling tiny, airborne silica particles. — Geoffrey Giller, Discover Magazine, "The Midwestern Sand Mines Feeding the Fracking Industry," 26 Apr. 2019 The problem: The science concerning silica is confusing, to say the least. — Olivia Fleming & Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Ultimate Guide to Clean Beauty," 12 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'silica.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about silica

Dictionary Entries near silica

Statistics for silica

Last Updated

6 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for silica

The first known use of silica was circa 1801

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for silica

silica

noun

English Language Learners Definition of silica

: a chemical that contains silicon, that is found in sand and quartz, and that is used to make glass

See the full definition for silica in the English Language Learners Dictionary

silica

noun

sil·i·ca | \ ˈsil-i-kə

Medical Definition of silica

: the dioxide of silicon SiO₂ that is used as an ingredient of simethicone and that occurs naturally in crystalline, amorphous, and impure forms (as in quartz, opal, and sand respectively)

— called also silicon dioxide

Keep scrolling for more