germanium

American  

[jer-mey-nee-uhm] / dʒərˈmeɪ ni əm /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a scarce, metallic, grayish-white element, normally tetravalent, used chiefly in transistors. Ge; 72.59; 32; 5.36 at 20°C.

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germanium British  

/ dʒɜːˈmeɪnɪəm /

noun

1. a brittle crystalline grey element that is a semiconducting metalloid, occurring principally in zinc ores and argyrodite: used in transistors, as a catalyst, and to strengthen and harden alloys. Symbol: Ge; atomic no: 32; atomic wt: 72.61; valency: 2 or 4; relative density: 5.323; melting pt: 938.35°C; boiling pt: 2834°C

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germanium Scientific  

/ jər-mā′nē-əm /

1. A brittle, crystalline, grayish-white metalloid element that is found in coal, in zinc ores, and in several minerals. It is used as a semiconductor and in wide-angle lenses. Atomic number 32; atomic weight 72.59; melting point 937.4°C; boiling point 2,830°C; specific gravity 5.323 (at 25°C); valence 2, 4.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of germanium

First recorded in 1885–90; German(y) + -ium

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

germanium

Current U.S. demand is estimated at roughly 90 to 120 metric tons of germanium dioxide equivalent.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Dead batteries yield lithium, cobalt and nickel; LED screens contain germanium; circuit boards hold platinum and palladium; hard disks store rare earths -- e‑waste has long been described as a "gold mine" for critical minerals.

From Barron's ● Feb. 18, 2026

The deal would see supplies of zinc concentrate, including germanium and gallium, sent to U.S. markets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 5, 2026

The team tested this idea by combining a compound made of manganese, cobalt, and germanium with another made of manganese, cobalt, and arsenic.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 12, 2026

The germanium salts are most readily recognized by the white precipitate of the disulphide, formed in acid solutions, on passing sulphuretted hydrogen.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 7 "Geoponici" to "Germany" by Various