: the dioxide of silicon SiO2 occurring in crystalline, amorphous, and impure forms (as in quartz, opal, and sand respectively)
Examples of silica in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While the Blue Lagoon—its waters milky with mineral-rich silica—remains the most famous, drawing up to a million visitors a year, smaller, less touristy lagoons have been appearing across the country, from Sky Lagoon on Kársnes Harbour near Reykjavik to Forest Lagoon in Iceland’s far north.
—
Rick Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
In future winters, Maler recommends applying silica and calcium spray to strengthen and protect the tree.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
That's because this material creates an unusual amount of lung-damaging silica dust when it gets cut or polished, far more than natural granite or marble.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
Today, only one small mine extracting the mineral anorthosite, which is useful for its aluminum and silica, is running.
—Paul Bierman, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for silica
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rick Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
In future winters, Maler recommends applying silica and calcium spray to strengthen and protect the tree.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
That's because this material creates an unusual amount of lung-damaging silica dust when it gets cut or polished, far more than natural granite or marble.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
Today, only one small mine extracting the mineral anorthosite, which is useful for its aluminum and silica, is running.
—Paul Bierman, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for silica
Cite this Entry
“Silica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silica. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
silica
noun
sil·i·ca
ˈsil-i-kə 
: a compound that consists of the dioxide of silicon and occurs in various forms (as in quartz, opal, and sand)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
