borosilicate glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “borosilicate glass” mean?
A type of glass made from silica and boron trioxide, known for its high resistance to thermal shock and chemical corrosion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of glass made from silica and boron trioxide, known for its high resistance to thermal shock and chemical corrosion.
A durable glass material used in laboratory equipment, cookware, and industrial applications due to its ability to withstand rapid temperature changes without cracking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties, associated with quality, durability, and scientific precision.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to technical, scientific, and specific commercial contexts (e.g., kitchenware).
Grammar
How to Use “borosilicate glass” in a Sentence
made of borosilicate glassborosilicate glass is used forborosilicate glass withstandsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “borosilicate glass” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The borosilicate-glass apparatus is essential for this procedure.
American English
- We need a borosilicate-glass dish for the experiment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing high-end kitchenware or laboratory supplies.
Academic
Common in chemistry, materials science, and engineering papers.
Everyday
Rare; might appear in instructions for oven-safe cookware.
Technical
Standard term in laboratory manuals, material specifications, and industrial manufacturing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “borosilicate glass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “borosilicate glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “borosilicate glass”
- Misspelling as 'borrosilicate' or 'borosilacate'.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a borosilicate glass' can be ambiguous; better: 'a borosilicate glass beaker').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Pyrex is a well-known brand name for products often made from borosilicate glass, but not all Pyrex products currently use borosilicate glass; some use tempered soda-lime glass.
Yes, its low thermal expansion coefficient allows it to withstand such rapid temperature changes without breaking, which is why it's used in bakeware.
Yes, it is non-toxic, chemically inert, and does not leach harmful substances, making it safe for food and drink containers.
The manufacturing process requires higher temperatures and the inclusion of boron trioxide, and it offers superior durability and thermal properties, justifying the higher cost.
A type of glass made from silica and boron trioxide, known for its high resistance to thermal shock and chemical corrosion.
Borosilicate glass is usually technical/scientific in register.
Borosilicate glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɔːrəʊˈsɪlɪkət ɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɔːroʊˈsɪlɪkət ɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Boro (like boron) + silicate (like silicon) + glass = the tough glass with boron inside.
Conceptual Metaphor
GLASS AS A TOUGH SHIELD (due to its resistance properties).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key property of borosilicate glass?