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silicon
[ sil-i-kuhn, -kon ]
noun
- a nonmetallic element, having amorphous and crystalline forms, occurring in a combined state in minerals and rocks and constituting more than one fourth of the earth's crust: used in steelmaking, alloys, etc. : Si; : 28.086; : 14; : 2.4 at 20°C.
silicon
/ ˈɪɪə /
noun
- a brittle metalloid element that exists in two allotropic forms; occurs principally in sand, quartz, granite, feldspar, and clay. It is usually a grey crystalline solid but is also found as a brown amorphous powder. It is used in transistors, rectifiers, solar cells, and alloys. Its compounds are widely used in glass manufacture, the building industry, and in the form of silicones. Symbol: Si; atomic no: 14; atomic wt: 28.0855; valency: 4; relative density: 2.33; melting pt: 1414°C; boiling pt: 3267°C
- modifier; sometimes capital denoting an area of a country that contains a density of high-technology industry
silicon
- A metalloid element that occurs in both gray crystalline and brown noncrystalline forms. It is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust and can be found only in silica and silicates. Silicon is used in glass, semiconductors, concrete, and ceramics. Atomic number 14; atomic weight 28.086; melting point 1,410°C; boiling point 2,355°C; specific gravity 2.33; valence 4.
- See Periodic Table
silicon
- A chemical element from which semiconductors are made. It is also used in the manufacture of glass, concrete, brick, and pottery.
Word History and Origins
Origin of silicon1
Compare Meanings
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Example Sentences
These tiny wafers of silicon, known as chips, were invented in the United States, but today, it is in Asia that the most advanced chips are being produced at phenomenal scale.
The next step was with the skin department, where silicon skins were fabricated and painted.
Semiconductors, also sometimes referred to as microchips or integrated circuits, are made from tiny fragments of raw materials, such as silicon.
The news about TSMC, which has a reputation as Taiwan’s “silicon shield,” has sparked heated debate over whether the company’s plan to build in the United States could undermine national security.
The 20,000 new jobs it plans to hire for will mostly focus on research and development, silicon engineering, AI and machine learning, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company said.
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