silicon nitride
noun
: any of several compounds of silicon and nitrogen
specifically
: a compound Si3N4 that is a hard ceramic used in high-temperature applications and in composites
Examples of silicon nitride in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During firing, the glass frit melts and etches through the silicon nitride anti-reflection layer, allowing silver to alloy with silicon and form an ohmic contact.
—
Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
Intermixing at the interface between the diamond and silicon nitride led to the formation of silicon carbide, which acted as a kind of bridge for the phonons, allowing more efficient heat transfer.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Oct. 2025
The underlying mechanics involve a slab waveguide composed of a silicon nitride core, a photoconductive silicon-rich nitride layer, and an indium tin oxide electrode.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
The miniature sail, a square sheet 40 microns on each side, is tethered at the corners by silicon nitride springs and vibrates when struck by a laser.
—John Loeffler, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025
The silicon nitride coating also came entirely loose and could be recovered largely intact.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 June 2024
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Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
Intermixing at the interface between the diamond and silicon nitride led to the formation of silicon carbide, which acted as a kind of bridge for the phonons, allowing more efficient heat transfer.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Oct. 2025
The underlying mechanics involve a slab waveguide composed of a silicon nitride core, a photoconductive silicon-rich nitride layer, and an indium tin oxide electrode.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
The miniature sail, a square sheet 40 microns on each side, is tethered at the corners by silicon nitride springs and vibrates when struck by a laser.
—John Loeffler, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025
The silicon nitride coating also came entirely loose and could be recovered largely intact.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Silicon nitride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silicon%20nitride. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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