What does silicon mean?
Silicon is a chemical element and metalloid whose unusual electrical properties make it indispensable to modern electronics. In its pure crystalline form, silicon acts as a semiconductor: it conducts electricity imperfectly, allowing it to serve as the switching material in transistors, microchips, sensors, and solar cells. It is also a major component of glass, concrete, silicates, and numerous alloys. The word can therefore refer both to the element in scientific and industrial contexts and to the substance as a practical material in electronics. Silicon is extremely abundant in Earth's crust, generally occurring in combination with oxygen rather than as a free element. Although it is chemically related to silicone, the two should not be confused: silicone is a manufactured polymer used for flexible, water-resistant products and medical applications, whereas silicon itself is the underlying element.
nounA chemical element and brittle, crystalline metalloid used extensively in semiconductors, integrated circuits, solar cells, and alloys. As a material, it is the second most abundant element in Earth's crust.
- The chemical element, especially in scientific and industrial contexts.
- The element or material used in electronics, semiconductors, solar technology, and alloys.
"Silicon forms the essential semiconductor layer in many microchips and electronic devices."
"The manufacturer uses silicon to produce the microscopic switches at the heart of its computer chips."
"Silicon is a principal ingredient in glass, concrete, and many modern alloys."
Rare and context-dependent; silicon is normally uncountable when referring to the element or material.
"The engineer compared the performance of several silicons under different operating conditions."
The name points to flint: it comes from Latin silex, the Latin word for flint or silica.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does silicon come from?
The name was coined in the early 19th century from the New Latin word silex, meaning flint or silica, with the suffix -on. The element was named by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius, who developed a recognized classification of the elements and chose names that distinguished them from previously known substances. English later adopted the term with the spelling silicon, while related scientific words such as silica, silicate, silicic, and siliceous developed from the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How silicon is actually used
In scientific contexts it is normally uncountable when referring to the element or material. The plural silicons is uncommon and may occur in specialized or computing-related usage.
Easily confused with silicon
Silicon is a chemical element, whereas silicone is a flexible polymer made from silicon compounds and used in sealants, cookware, and medical implants.