silicon

noun sil·i·con \ ˈsi-li-kən , ˈsi-lə-ˌkän \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of silicon

: 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 ferrosilicon for steelmaking, in other alloys, and in semiconductors — see Chemical Elements Table

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Recent Examples of silicon from the Web

One of the most expensive consumer robots under development, a machine named Harmony, is a $15,000 union of silicone curves and silicon chips.

— ben guarino, BostonGlobe.com, "New report finds no evidence that having sex with robots is healthy," 5 June 2018
One of the most expensive consumer robots under development, a machine named Harmony, is a $15,000 union of silicone curves and silicon chips.

— ben guarino, Anchorage Daily News, "New report finds no evidence that having sex with robots is healthy," 5 June 2018
One of the most expensive consumer robots under development, a machine named Harmony, is a $15,000 union of silicone curves and silicon chips.

— ben guarino, ajc, "New report finds no evidence that having sex with robots is healthy," 5 June 2018
The future of solar power has looked increasingly bright in recent years thanks to the plummeting cost of silicon solar panels and a global push for clean energy sources to address climate change.

— Time, "Inside the New Technology That Could Transform the Solar Power Industry," 4 June 2018
Simon Gröblacher, a physicist at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and his colleagues etched beams about 10 micrometers long into silicon chips.

— gabriel popkin, Science | AAAS, "Einstein’s ‘spooky action at a distance’ spotted in objects almost big enough to see," 25 Apr. 2018
Almost at birth, the silicon solar cell was gazumped by a rival non-fossil technology.

— The Economist, "The future of solar energy," 28 Mar. 2018
The deal-reviewing committee has warned that foreign titans like Huawei and ZTE Corp. are poised to take the lead in 5G unless the U.S. takes steps to defend its silicon might.

— robert hackett, Fortune, "Chipmaker Soap Opera, Equifax Credit Freezes, Blockchain Definitions," 10 Mar. 2018
Apple will also sell soft-feel silicon cases that cost $29 each in six different colors.

— lauren le vine, Redbook, "5 Things You Need to Know About the New iPhone 5," 10 Sep. 2013

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

Origin and Etymology of silicon

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1817

in the meaning defined above

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SILICON Defined for English Language Learners

silicon

noun

Definition of silicon for English Language Learners

: a chemical element that is found in the Earth's crust and is used especially in computers and electronics

SILICON Defined for Kids

silicon

noun sil·i·con \ ˈsi-li-kən , ˈsi-lə-ˌkän \

Definition of silicon for Students

: a chemical element that next to oxygen is the most common element in the earth's crust and is used especially in electronic devices

Medical Dictionary

silicon

noun sil·i·con \ ˈsil-i-kən , ˈsil-ə-ˌkän \

medical Definition of silicon

: 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

Learn More about silicon

See words that rhyme with silicon Spanish Central: Translation of silicon Nglish: Translation of silicon for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about silicon

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silicon

Definition of silicon

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SILICON Defined for English Language Learners

silicon

Definition of silicon for English Language Learners

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silicon

Definition of silicon for Students

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silicon

medical Definition of silicon

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