a grey non-metallic chemical element that occurs, in combination with other elements, as the most abundant element next to oxygen in the earth's crust, and is used in alloys, as a semiconductor, and in the manufacture of glass: symbol Si, atomic number 14
(usu Silicon) (used before a noun) indicating an area where a group of high-tech companies or industries are clustered
[Latin silica silica + -on as in carbon]