silicon
noun
sil·i·con
ˈsi-li-kən 
ˈsi-lə-ˌkän
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
Topological refers to physical features in the silicon that help steer terahertz waves, and beamformer refers to the purpose of the chip: forming terahertz waves into directed beams.
—
Ranjan Singh, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024
As the name strongly suggests, the familiar roll of foil most of us keep stocked in our kitchens is 98.5 percent pure aluminum; the final percentage is typically made up of materials like silicon, iron, magnesium, and manganese—all incorporated to improve the foil’s strength.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 13 July 2024
Google is putting a new chip — the Tensor A1 — in these earbuds, similar to the way Apple outfits AirPods with its own silicon.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2024
Microchips, a set of electronic circuits on a small flat piece of silicon, run everything from cellphones to military weapons.
—Rick Barrett, Journal Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for silicon 
Ranjan Singh, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024
As the name strongly suggests, the familiar roll of foil most of us keep stocked in our kitchens is 98.5 percent pure aluminum; the final percentage is typically made up of materials like silicon, iron, magnesium, and manganese—all incorporated to improve the foil’s strength.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 13 July 2024
Google is putting a new chip — the Tensor A1 — in these earbuds, similar to the way Apple outfits AirPods with its own silicon.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2024
Microchips, a set of electronic circuits on a small flat piece of silicon, run everything from cellphones to military weapons.
—Rick Barrett, Journal Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for silicon
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'silicon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near silicon
Cite this Entry
“Silicon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silicon. Accessed 8 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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