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

The latest technology creates grooves on the back of silicon chips, allowing cooling liquid to flow directly onto the chip. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025

By replacing silicon with a magnetic semiconductor, the team created a device that not only switches current but can also store information. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025

That’s why many of the top phone displays now use low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPO) technology. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 19 Sep. 2025

If timing functions can be embedded more seamlessly into the silicon stack, OEMs stand to reduce system size, improve efficiency, and free up design space for additional features. —Dave Altavilla, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 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