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
Because of this, investors are now more critical of IPOs after an era where silicon investing frenzies resulted in high-profile failures.
—
Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
Despite the tireless nature of silicon, the company walked away with second place.
—ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025
Lenovo Laptop Deals Microsoft's new Copilot AI in Windows 11 puts unique demands on your machine's silicon, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processors were the first to market designed to optimize it.
—PC Magazine, 10 July 2025
Shine light on it and an electronic potential—a voltage—will build up across the silicon. . . .
—Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for silicon
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Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
Despite the tireless nature of silicon, the company walked away with second place.
—ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025
Lenovo Laptop Deals Microsoft's new Copilot AI in Windows 11 puts unique demands on your machine's silicon, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processors were the first to market designed to optimize it.
—PC Magazine, 10 July 2025
Shine light on it and an electronic potential—a voltage—will build up across the silicon. . . .
—Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 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 25 Jul. 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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