silicate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic, Scientific, Technical
Quick answer
What does “silicate” mean?
A compound containing silicon, oxygen, and usually one or more metal elements.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A compound containing silicon, oxygen, and usually one or more metal elements; a salt or ester of silicic acid. They are the largest and most important class of rock-forming minerals.
1. In materials science: Any mineral or synthetic material with a structure based on silicon-oxygen tetrahedra (SiO₄). 2. In geochemistry/geology: The dominant chemical building blocks of the Earth's crust and mantle, including minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica. 3. In industry: Compounds like sodium silicate (water glass) used in detergents, cement, and ceramics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Connotes geology, chemistry, and industrial materials.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard in scientific/technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “silicate” in a Sentence
[Adj] silicate of [Metal][Metal] silicatesilicate in [Substance]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “silicate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The magma began to silicate as it cooled.
- Not standard.
American English
- Not standard as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The silicate content was analysed.
- Adjectival use is via noun modifier.
American English
- They conducted a silicate analysis.
- Adjectival use is via noun modifier.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In industrial supply: 'We import bulk sodium silicate for detergent manufacturing.'
Academic
In geology: 'The mantle's transition zone is dominated by high-pressure silicate polymorphs.'
Everyday
Very rare. Possibly in gardening: 'This plant food contains soluble silicates.'
Technical
In materials engineering: 'The ceramic matrix is reinforced with zirconium silicate fibres.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “silicate”
- Misspelling as 'silacate' or 'sillicate'.
- Confusing 'silicate' (mineral) with 'silicon' (element) or 'silicone' (polymer).
- Using as a verb (it is only a noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Silica (SiO₂) is a specific compound. Silicates are a much larger class of minerals containing silica tetrahedra combined with other elements.
No, 'silicate' is exclusively a noun in standard modern English.
No. While the vast majority of rocks are silicate-based, some, like limestone (calcium carbonate), are not.
No. It is a specialised term from geology, chemistry, and materials science. The average person may encounter it in contexts like 'sodium silicate' in cleaning products or 'calcium silicate' in construction materials.
A compound containing silicon, oxygen, and usually one or more metal elements.
Silicate is usually academic, scientific, technical in register.
Silicate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪl.ɪ.kət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪl.ə.kət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SILIConATE: Silicon is at the heart of it, and '-ate' is a common ending for salts (like 'carbonate').
Conceptual Metaphor
SILICATES ARE BUILDING BLOCKS (of the Earth, of ceramics, of glass).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the word 'silicate' LEAST likely to be used?