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
In August 2023, China began restricting exports of gallium and germanium, which are used in advanced electronics and defense systems.
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Daniel Baer, Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2024
So, silicon photonics systems, which connect racks of servers in data centers via high-data rate optical fiber links, are dependent on photodiode receivers made of germanium or other materials to turn optical signals into electronic ones.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2018
Fab 9 offers some unique process technologies, including gallium nitride (GaN) on silicon and silicon germanium (SiGe).
—Willy Shih, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
Despite the fact that some states have gone so far as to ban use of these materials, there’s no evidence that today’s photovoltaic cells contain arsenic, germanium, hexavalent chromium or perfluoroalkyl substances.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for germanium 
Daniel Baer, Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2024
So, silicon photonics systems, which connect racks of servers in data centers via high-data rate optical fiber links, are dependent on photodiode receivers made of germanium or other materials to turn optical signals into electronic ones.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2018
Fab 9 offers some unique process technologies, including gallium nitride (GaN) on silicon and silicon germanium (SiGe).
—Willy Shih, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
Despite the fact that some states have gone so far as to ban use of these materials, there’s no evidence that today’s photovoltaic cells contain arsenic, germanium, hexavalent chromium or perfluoroalkyl substances.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for germanium
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'germanium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Germanium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germanium. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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