silicon

noun

sil·​i·​con ˈsi-li-kən How to pronounce silicon (audio) ˈsi-lə-ˌkän How to pronounce silicon (audio)
: 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
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.
Rather than a big-news upgrade to the screen or chassis design, this would be solely an internal upgrade to the M6 silicon. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 Equally responsible for this Bentley’s milestone handling are the Supersports’ electronic limited-slip differential, rear-wheel steering, suspension aided by a 48-volt active anti-roll bar, and enormous carbon-silicon-carbide brakes. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026 The power of slow light and an equalizer The researchers combined two techniques in a single silicon device. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 Unlike traditional processors, Cerebras' chip packs enormous computing power and bandwidth onto a single piece of silicon. — Paul Meeks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for silicon

Word History

Etymology

New Latin silica + English -on (as in carbon)

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silicon was in 1814

Phrases Containing silicon

Browse Nearby Words

silicomanganese
silicon
silicon bronze
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Silicon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silicon. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

silicon

noun
sil·​i·​con ˈsil-i-kən How to pronounce silicon (audio)
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 How to pronounce silicon (audio) ˈsil-ə-ˌkän How to pronounce silicon (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on silicon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about silicon

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