silicon
A chemical element found in sand and rock that is used a lot in computer chips, solar panels, and glass.
A hard, brittle, blue‑gray chemical element (symbol Si) that occurs naturally in rock and sand and is widely used to make electronic components, glass, and many industrial materials.
Silicon when you talk about the actual chips and hardware in computers and phones, not the software.
Silicon considered specifically as the physical material and chips that form the hardware layer in electronic and computing systems, especially in contrast to software or higher-level technologies.
- Base: silicon
- Plural: silicon
Silicon Age
1era defined by silicon electronics
A name for the modern time in history when computers and other silicon-based devices are very important in daily life and work.
- Some historians call our current period the Silicon Age.
- The Silicon Age has changed how we work, communicate, and learn.
Silicon Alley
1New York City tech scene
A name for the technology and internet business area in and around New York City.
- She left Silicon Alley for a job on the West Coast.
- Silicon Alley has grown quickly as more startups choose New York.
Silicon Beach
1Los Angeles-area tech hub
A name for the group of technology companies near the beaches in the Los Angeles area, such as Santa Monica and Venice.
- He moved to Silicon Beach to join a video game company.
- Silicon Beach is attracting both startups and big tech firms.
silicon chip
1tiny silicon-based electronic circuit
A very small, flat piece of silicon with many electronic parts on it, used inside computers, phones, and other electronic devices.
- Each silicon chip in the phone contains billions of tiny transistors.
- The factory can produce thousands of silicon chips every day.
silicon wafer
1thin disk used to make chips
A thin, round piece of very pure silicon that many computer chips are made on in a factory.
- Robots carefully move each silicon wafer through the production line.
- Dozens of microprocessors can be made on a single silicon wafer.
silicon-based life
1hypothetical life using silicon chemistry
Imaginary or possible life forms that use silicon instead of carbon as the main part of their bodies, often seen in science fiction or science discussions.
- The documentary asked whether silicon-based life could exist on other planets.
- Science fiction often imagines strange silicon-based life in extreme environments.
Silicon Valley
1US region and tech industry center
An area in Northern California, near San Francisco, where many big technology and internet companies have their offices; also used to mean the US tech industry in general.
- Many start-ups are based in Silicon Valley.
- After graduation, she moved to Silicon Valley to work for a startup.
- Silicon Valley attracts engineers from around the world.
- Many people say Silicon Valley has too much power over our online lives.
- The government is looking closely at major Silicon Valley firms over privacy concerns.