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

Because silicon is typically a longer development cycle. —IEEE Spectrum, 6 Sep. 2023

Arm is an intellectual property business about licenses and royalties; the company isn’t shipping silicon. —Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 25 Aug. 2023

Pour into a silicon mold in the shape of your choice, such as skulls and set in refrigerator until the shots gel. —Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2023

This comes amid rumors that Intel canceled the silicon in favor of a Raptor Lake refresh. —Michael Kan, PCMAG, 26 June 2023

To reveal the silicon straw, @newyorknico enlisted the same fan to try it out. —David Chiu, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023

Semiconductor devices made with wide-bandgap materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) can operate at much higher voltages, temperatures, and frequencies than traditional silicon devices can. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 Aug. 2023

Too many important decisions are taken away from the driver and relegated to HAL or whatever silicon pseudonym is on duty. —Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, 19 Aug. 2023

This includes silver, silicon, copper and aluminum, which could be repurposed for other uses or infused back into future panels. —Tree Meinch, Discover Magazine, 2 Aug. 2023

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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

• 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