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germanium
noun
ger·ma·ni·um
(ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm
: a grayish-white hard brittle metalloid element that resembles silicon and is used especially in optical and semiconductor materials and as a catalyst see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of germanium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Exports other metals, and the equipment used to produce them, have also been restricted by the Chinese Government, including germanium, gallium, and some rare earths such as neodymium and praseodymium used to make permanent magnets which also have industrial and military uses.
—Tim Treadgold, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
As part of those talks, senior U.S. officials have been working with their Japanese counterparts on a strategy to ensure adequate supplies of critical minerals, some of the people said, especially since China imposed restrictions on the exports of gallium, germanium and graphite last year.
—Mahnoor Khan, Fortune Asia, 2 Sep. 2024
Beijing has also tightened exports of some graphite products, and imposed restrictions on exports of gallium and germanium products widely used in the semiconductor industry.
—Reuters, CNN, 15 Aug. 2024
Last year, China slapped export controls on gallium and germanium — rare earths essential for manufacturing semiconductors — in response to restrictions by the US, the Netherlands, and Japan on the exports of some semiconductor equipment to China.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Medieval Latin Germania Germany
First Known Use
1886, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near germanium
Cite this Entry
“Germanium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germanium. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
germanium
noun
ger·ma·ni·um
(ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm
: a grayish white hard brittle element used especially as a semiconductor see element
Medical Definition
germanium
noun
ger·ma·ni·um
(ˌ)jər-ˈmā-nē-əm
: a grayish white hard brittle metalloid element that resembles silicon and is used as a semiconductor
—symbol Ge
see Chemical Elements Table
More from Merriam-Webster on germanium
Nglish: Translation of germanium for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about germanium
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