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
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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 Anello’s low-loss silicon nitride waveguides allow light to circulate longer within the gyroscope, improving signal strength and reducing error accumulation. IEEE Spectrum, 10 Feb. 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

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silicon nitride was in 1903

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Cite this Entry

“Silicon nitride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silicon%20nitride. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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