silicon
noun
sil·i·con
ˈsi-li-kən 
ˈsi-lə-ˌkän
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
These include water vapor, carbon monoxide, methane and, for the first time ever in a planetary atmosphere, silicon monoxide.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 June 2025
Take complex, multiscale systems like metasurfaces or silicon photonics interconnects.
—Yujie Huang, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
When 20 percent of your jobs depend on an auto industry that's slashing human workers for silicon chips...
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
As lines are drawn in silicon rather than sand, forward-thinking investors are discovering that technological sovereignty and shareholder value have become inextricably linked — perhaps the most significant investment paradigm shift of our generation.
—Katrina Rosseini, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for silicon
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Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 June 2025
Take complex, multiscale systems like metasurfaces or silicon photonics interconnects.
—Yujie Huang, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
When 20 percent of your jobs depend on an auto industry that's slashing human workers for silicon chips...
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
As lines are drawn in silicon rather than sand, forward-thinking investors are discovering that technological sovereignty and shareholder value have become inextricably linked — perhaps the most significant investment paradigm shift of our generation.
—Katrina Rosseini, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for silicon
Cite this Entry
“Silicon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silicon. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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