gettering: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “gettering” mean?
The process of introducing a material (a getter) into a vacuum system or semiconductor device to absorb and remove residual or unwanted gases.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of introducing a material (a getter) into a vacuum system or semiconductor device to absorb and remove residual or unwanted gases.
A method for improving the purity and performance of a system by actively removing impurities or contaminants, often by chemical reaction or absorption.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage is identical and confined to identical technical contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Pure technical denotation with no additional cultural or regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Equal frequency in UK and US technical publications.
Grammar
How to Use “gettering” in a Sentence
The gettering of impurities is critical.The wafer underwent gettering.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gettering” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to getter the chamber before sealing it.
- The aluminium layer was used to getter oxygen.
American English
- We need to getter the chamber before sealing it.
- The aluminum layer was used to getter oxygen.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
American English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- The gettering agent was highly effective.
- We studied the gettering mechanism.
American English
- The gettering agent was highly effective.
- We studied the gettering mechanism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in general business. May appear in technical procurement or R&D reports for semiconductor manufacturing.
Academic
Used in physics, materials science, and electrical engineering journals and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core usage. Describes a specific process in semiconductor fabrication and vacuum technology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gettering”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gettering”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gettering”
- Misspelling as 'getterring' or 'gettering'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'cleaning' outside its technical context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised technical term used primarily in physics and semiconductor engineering.
Yes, the base verb is 'to getter' (e.g., 'to getter a vacuum tube'), and 'gettering' is its present participle or gerund form.
A getter is a reactive material (often a metal like barium or titanium) that is placed inside a vacuum system to absorb residual gases by chemical reaction.
In very general terms, 'purification' or 'clean-up' could convey a similar idea, but they lack the specific technical meaning of using a reactive agent to trap impurities.
Gettering is usually technical / scientific in register.
Gettering: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɛtərɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɛt̬ərɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'GETTER' as something that GETS or captures impurities, just as a 'go-getter' gets things done. GETTERING is the process of doing this capturing.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEANING AS CAPTURING or PURIFICATION AS HUNTING. The getter is an active agent that hunts and traps contaminant particles.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'gettering' primarily used?