silicon

[sil-i-kuhn, -kon]

noun

Chemistry.

1. 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

/ ˈsɪlɪkən /

noun

1. 1. 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

   2. (modifier; sometimes capital) denoting an area of a country that contains a density of high-technology industry

silicon

1. 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.

2. See Periodic Table

silicon

1. 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

1817; silic(a) + -on, as in carbon and boron

Word History and Origins

Origin of silicon¹

C19: from _silica , on the model of boron, carbon

Example Sentences

Big doe eyes and perhaps a little cleavage to sell this heartfelt — or shall we say silicon chip-felt — message about kids who “are forced to carry a quiet laughter.”

From Salon

Sometimes referred to as microchips or integrated circuits, they are made from tiny fragments of raw materials, such as silicon.

From BBC

Mr Boelter was wearing a "hyper realistic silicon mask" when he rang the doorbell and shouted "this is the police, open the door".

From BBC

By learning the nature of consciousness, researchers hope to better understand what's happening within the silicon brains of artificial intelligence.

From BBC

Whether it's the silicon wafers from Japan, the machines required from the Netherlands, or mirrors from Germany, all sorts of materials from all around the world are required.

From BBC