silicon

noun

sil·​i·​con ˈsi-li-kən  ˈsi-lə-ˌkän 

: a tetravalent nonmetallic element with atomic number 14 that occurs combined as the most abundant element next to oxygen in the earth's crust and is used especially in semiconductors, in ferrosilicon for steelmaking, and in other alloys

—often used before another noun

silicon chips

silicon carbide

see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of silicon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The results revealed superior optical and thermal performance compared to traditional materials like carbon nanotubes and black silicon. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025

The company’s custom silicon strategy appears to be off to a solid start with Trainium. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025

The rain itself showed a photospheric signature (based on the silicon-to-sulfur ratio), while the hotter plasma around it had a coronal signature (based on calcium-to-argon). —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025

The measurements identified 13 elements from this doomed object, including aluminum, carbon, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, nickel, silicon, sodium, strontium and titanium, in mostly Earth-like abundances. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin silica + English -on (as in carbon)

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing silicon

• silicon carbide
• silicon dioxide
• silicon nitride

Kids Definition

silicon

noun

sil·​i·​con ˈsil-i-kən 

ˈsil-ə-ˌkän

: a nonmetallic element that occurs combined as the most abundant element after oxygen in the earth's crust and is used especially in alloys and electronic devices see element

Medical Definition

silicon

noun

sil·​i·​con ˈsil-i-kən  ˈsil-ə-ˌkän 

: a tetravalent nonmetallic element that occurs combined as the most abundant element next to oxygen in the earth's crust and is used especially in alloys

—symbol Si see Chemical Elements Table