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

There’s silver dust in the cells, and some boron and phosphorus, critical additives to increase conductivity and to provide the necessary environment for photons from sunlight to knock electrons loose from the silicon. —Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025

The beans also contain vitamin C, silicon, and magnesium, all of which help your body produce more collagen. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 1 July 2025

These compact devices are mounted to the top of silicon chipsets to dissipate heat and essentially replace a passive cooling system. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 27 June 2025

The material seemed thick at first, but wicked sweat well and never felt hot, while the silicon leg bands were a little tight, but kept the shorts secure around my legs. —Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 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