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

Recently, researchers have discovered a previously unknown calcium–copper–silicon clathrate in debris from the 1945 Trinity nuclear test. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026

SoftBank also acquired silicon design company Ampere Computing in 2025. —Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 12 May 2026

The quasicrystal seen in trinitite is made of the same four elements—iron, silicon, copper and calcium—that make up the newfound clathrate. —Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 11 May 2026

Apple just launched the Neo, which is based on silicon for mobile. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 10 May 2026

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