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
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In July 2023, China restricted exports of gallium and germanium, used in chips, radars, and satellites, in what was seen as a response to American restrictions on technology sales and transfers.
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David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
After steadily building its understanding of key chokepoints, this past December, China banned all exports of antimony, gallium, and germanium to U.S. buyers—minerals crucial for semiconductors, solar battery cells, and numerous defense applications.
—Brendan Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
These materials include aluminum, beryllium, cobalt, gallium, germanium, graphite, lithium, manganese, platinum, rare earth elements, titanium, and tungsten.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Prices for gallium, germanium and graphite also have mostly risen.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
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David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
After steadily building its understanding of key chokepoints, this past December, China banned all exports of antimony, gallium, and germanium to U.S. buyers—minerals crucial for semiconductors, solar battery cells, and numerous defense applications.
—Brendan Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
These materials include aluminum, beryllium, cobalt, gallium, germanium, graphite, lithium, manganese, platinum, rare earth elements, titanium, and tungsten.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Prices for gallium, germanium and graphite also have mostly risen.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for germanium
Cite this Entry
“Germanium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germanium. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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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