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.
That’s backed up by an enormous 9,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, one of the biggest seen in any Android flagship yet. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026 For general-purpose use, Microsoft already taps its own central processing units as well as silicon from Intel and AMD. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 Water simplifies battery recycling The researchers tested the binder with several electrode materials, including lithium iron phosphate and nickel-rich cathodes, as well as graphite and silicon anodes. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 Throughout his time in Ann Arbor, Moore had typically been seen wearing a black silicon band, including on the day of his arrest, according to police body-camera footage. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 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 14 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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