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

Gallium and germanium are essential for semiconductor production, according to mining.com. —Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024

Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductors; the latter is also used in infrared tech, fiber optic cables, and solar cells. —Byandrew Nusca, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024

Like gallium and germanium, antimony is also used to manufacture semiconductor devices, such as infrared sensors and diodes. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Zoom in: China is the world's biggest producer of gallium and germanium, which are used to make computer chips, cars, solar panels and other products, per AP. —Ivana Saric, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin Germania Germany

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

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