: 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
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The aluminum-creation process begins with bauxite ore, a raw material that contains desirable aluminum-rich minerals but also a host of impurities including silica and iron and titanium oxides.
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New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2025
Superfine silica particles physically slough away dead skin cells while lactic and salicylic acids act as chemical exfoliants to loosen the bonds that hold said cells on the skin’s surface.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
If the glass is colorless, its potential sources are even more limited, because colorless low-iron glass – popularized by Apple’s flagship stores and luxury towers around the world – requires 99% pure silica sand.
—Aki Ishida, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
Utilizing superfine lava, silica, and seawater sourced straight from the Blue Lagoon, this removed all the gunk from my nose pores in a 10-minute treatment.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2025
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New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2025
Superfine silica particles physically slough away dead skin cells while lactic and salicylic acids act as chemical exfoliants to loosen the bonds that hold said cells on the skin’s surface.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
If the glass is colorless, its potential sources are even more limited, because colorless low-iron glass – popularized by Apple’s flagship stores and luxury towers around the world – requires 99% pure silica sand.
—Aki Ishida, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
Utilizing superfine lava, silica, and seawater sourced straight from the Blue Lagoon, this removed all the gunk from my nose pores in a 10-minute treatment.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silica
Cite this Entry
“Silica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silica. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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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)
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