thin film

noun

: a very thin layer of a substance on a supporting material

especially : a coating (as of a semiconductor) that is deposited in a layer one atom or one molecule thick

Examples of thin film in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Apple has used the technology for many years on a number of products, including on various iPhone models to create a durable thin film on the casing to minimize scratching and other damage. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Some reported magnetic order, unusual Hall effects, and efficient spin-charge conversion, while others found no evidence of magnetism in bulk crystals or relaxed thin films. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

Quickly stir until most of the flour is absorbed, then cook, stirring vigorously and breaking up pockets of dry flour as needed, until a thin film forms on bottom and sides of pan and dough comes together into a single mass, 2–3 minutes. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026

For instance, in 2018, Ristroph and colleagues fine-tuned the recipe for the perfect bubble based on experiments with soapy thin films. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for thin film

• biofilm
• microfilm