silica

noun

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

This jar is made of silica glass, which can handle a 180 degree Fahrenheit temperature change. 9. — Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "Watch What Happens When We Take Apart a Blender," 10 June 2015 The robot started with a layer of silica, the main component of sand, and used the ion beam to shape the walls and cut out the windows and door. — Denise Chow /, NBC News, "Why scientists created the world's smallest house," 30 May 2018 For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, book an in-water treatment where you will be massaged while floating in the silica-rich waters of the lagoon itself. — Lyndsey Matthews, Town & Country, "See Inside the Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland, the Blue Lagoon's First Five-Star Hotel," 11 June 2018 The water is comprised of silica, algae and minerals. — Liz Dufour, USA TODAY, "WOW Air stopover: Photos of 82 hours in Iceland," 25 May 2018 At the beach, silica sand mixes with fragments of coral, shell and other material of biological origin. — Discover Magazine, "20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Sand," 18 May 2018 For example, silica, which makes up around 60 percent of windblown desert dust, is known to cause chronic lung inflammation, lung cancer and autoimmune diseases. — Smithsonian, "How Climate Changed-Fueled “Mega Droughts” Could Harm Human Health," 12 June 2018 As New Atlas explains, engineers used a focused ion beam to cut a flat sheet of the silica membrane. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "This is truly the world’s tiniest tiny house," 25 May 2018 The rocks are obsidian, a silica-heavy glass that formed near the end of the eruption cycle of nearby Mount Konocti, last active about 11,000 years ago. — Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, "The rise of the Red Hills of Lake County," 1 June 2018

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.

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The first known use of silica was circa 1801

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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