silicon

noun

sil·​i·​con ˈsi-li-kən  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

Read more Is Taiwan's silicon shield a security guarantee or a target? —Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

But some features, like Apple Intelligence (more on this later) are exclusive to Macs with the M-series Apple silicon chip. —Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2025

Performance is excellent, obviously, as mobile silicon has long surpassed what 99% of people need on a mobile device. —Ben Sin, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

There are materials that can store even more lithium than silicon; a notable example is sulfur. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing silicon

• silicon carbide
• silicon dioxide
• silicon nitride

Kids 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 

: 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