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
Meanwhile, Broadcom is also collaborating with Anthropic rival OpenAI on custom silicon for AI.
—
Jordan Novet, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
After some time, the AI managed to design a new alloy using iron, chromiun and small amounts of other metals like nickel, manganese, copper, silicon, aluminum, and carbon.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
In India, condom manufacturers are reporting disruptions from shortages in not only packaging materials and silicon oil, which requires petrochemical feedstocks, but also ammonia.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Chip designers and manufacturers try to squeeze as much computing power as possible onto each individual chip, fabricated on silicon wafers in a manufacturing process that relies on highly specialized equipment and requires thousands of intricate steps.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for silicon
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Jordan Novet, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
After some time, the AI managed to design a new alloy using iron, chromiun and small amounts of other metals like nickel, manganese, copper, silicon, aluminum, and carbon.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
In India, condom manufacturers are reporting disruptions from shortages in not only packaging materials and silicon oil, which requires petrochemical feedstocks, but also ammonia.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Chip designers and manufacturers try to squeeze as much computing power as possible onto each individual chip, fabricated on silicon wafers in a manufacturing process that relies on highly specialized equipment and requires thousands of intricate steps.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 2 Apr. 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 8 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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