silicate

noun
sil·​i·​cate | \ ˈsi-lə-ˌkāt How to pronounce silicate (audio) , -kət\

Definition of silicate

: a salt or ester derived from a silicic acid especially : any of numerous insoluble often complex metal salts that contain silicon and oxygen in the anion, constitute the largest class of minerals, and are used in building materials (such as cement, bricks, and glass)

Examples of silicate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Higher still will be the densities of rocky worlds made principally of silicates. The Economist, "Astronomers are probing faraway planets with greater sophistication," 3 Aug. 2019 This method revealed a complex exoplanetary atmosphere with clouds of iron and silicates swirling in a planet-wide storm. Ashley Strickland, CNN, "TESS finds potentially habitable super-Earth 31 light-years away," 1 Aug. 2019 This method revealed a complex exoplanetary atmosphere with clouds of iron and silicates swirling in a planet-wide storm. Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Planet-hunting satellite TESS finds 'missing link' exoplanets," 29 July 2019 This method revealed a complex exoplanetary atmosphere with clouds of iron and silicates swirling in a planet-wide storm. Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Astronomers make the first observations of a 'moon-forming' disk around a distant planet," 12 July 2019 Volcanic ash is heavy in silicates, which have a melting temperature close to 2,000 degrees. Matthew Cappucci, Anchorage Daily News, "This North Pacific volcano just erupted after nearly a century of silence. Astronauts captured the breathtaking scene.," 27 June 2019 This method revealed a complex exoplanetary atmosphere with clouds of iron and silicates swirling in a planet-wide storm. Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Astronomers spy two growing exoplanets in photograph," 4 June 2019 The ingredient, created by extracting silicate crystals from other minerals processed at high temperatures, is also used by brands like Skin Owl, which makes an illuminating face oil. Jocelyn C. Zuckerman, Marie Claire, "Is Your Makeup the Result of Child Labor?," 16 Oct. 2018 From a perspective of science, the material is a clever mesh of silicates with a dash of fluorine secret sauce. Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, "The Internet-demanded, partially scientific testing of Ultra-Ever Dry (in HD!)," 4 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'silicate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of silicate

1811, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for silicate

silicic (acid)

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More Definitions for silicate

silicate

noun

English Language Learners Definition of silicate

: a chemical that contains silicon and that is used in building materials (such as bricks, cement, and glass)

silicate

noun
sil·​i·​cate | \ ˈsil-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce silicate (audio) , ˈsil-i-kət How to pronounce silicate (audio) \

Medical Definition of silicate

: a salt or ester derived from a silicic acid especially : any of numerous insoluble often complex metal salts that contain silicon and oxygen in the anion and constitute the largest class of minerals