germanium

noun

ger·​ma·​ni·​um (ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm 

: a grayish-white hard brittle metalloid element that resembles silicon and is used especially in optical and semiconductor materials and as a catalyst see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of germanium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gallium and germanium, crucial for advanced semiconductors, were recently subject to Chinese export restrictions. —Phil De Luna, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Recently, China imposed controls on gallium and germanium, crucial for semiconductor development worldwide. —Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2025

Last December, China banned exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military uses. —Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025

China has retaliated by banning the export of strategically important metalloids like germanium. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin Germania Germany

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for germanium

• geranium
• titanium
• uranium
• cranium
• transuranium

Kids Definition

germanium

noun

ger·​ma·​ni·​um (ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm 

: a grayish white hard brittle element used especially as a semiconductor see element

Medical Definition

germanium

noun

ger·​ma·​ni·​um (ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm 

: a grayish white hard brittle metalloid element that resembles silicon and is used as a semiconductor

—symbol Ge see Chemical Elements Table