silicate

noun

sil·​i·​cate ˈsi-lə-ˌkāt  -kət 

: a salt or ester derived from a silicic acid

especially : any of numerous insoluble often complex metal salts that contain silicon and oxygen in the anion, constitute the largest class of minerals, and are used in building materials (such as cement, bricks, and glass)

Examples of silicate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traces of silicates have been seen around stars and even brown dwarfs before, but this is the first time these fingerprints have been found around much smaller free-floating planets. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 30 July 2025

At Sublime Systems’ pilot plant in Massachusetts, the company is using electrochemistry instead of heat to produce lime silicate cements that can replace Portland cement. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2024

Similar to a battery, Sublime’s process uses a voltage between an electrode and a cathode to create a pH gradient that isolates silicates and reactive calcium, in the form of lime (CaO). —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2024

What creates the slip resistance is a micronized silicate that is incorporated into the glaze, explains technical consultant to the Tile of Spain industry group Ryan Fasan. —Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

silicic (acid)

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing silicate

• calcium silicate
• dicalcium silicate

Kids Definition

silicate

noun

sil·​i·​cate ˈsil-i-ˌkāt 

ˈsil-ə-kət

: a chemical salt that consists of a metal combined with silicon and oxygen and is used especially in building materials (as bricks)

Medical Definition

silicate

noun

sil·​i·​cate ˈsil-ə-ˌkāt  ˈsil-i-kət 

: a salt or ester derived from a silicic acid

especially : any of numerous insoluble often complex metal salts that contain silicon and oxygen in the anion and constitute the largest class of minerals