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
Developed by researchers at the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), the novel lithium-ion battery anode delivers some of the highest energy storage capacities reported for silicon–carbon nanotube systems, while maintaining stability over hundreds of charge cycles.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
The device is powered by a rather diminutive 4,050-mAh silicon-carbon battery that supports 33-W charging.
—New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
Other early wins include Amkor breaking ground on a $7 billion semiconductor packaging facility in Peoria, Arizona, where Apple will be its first and largest customer, and GlobalWafers beginning production at a new $4 billion silicon wafer plant in Sherman, Texas.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
The chip companies also require helium, sulfur, and bromine—three key inputs to silicon wafers—largely sourced from the region.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for silicon
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
The device is powered by a rather diminutive 4,050-mAh silicon-carbon battery that supports 33-W charging.
—New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
Other early wins include Amkor breaking ground on a $7 billion semiconductor packaging facility in Peoria, Arizona, where Apple will be its first and largest customer, and GlobalWafers beginning production at a new $4 billion silicon wafer plant in Sherman, Texas.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
The chip companies also require helium, sulfur, and bromine—three key inputs to silicon wafers—largely sourced from the region.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for silicon
Cite this Entry
“Silicon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silicon. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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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