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

The emitted gamma rays were detected with GRETINA, a high resolution germanium detector array capable of tracking individual gamma ray interactions.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

It said its concentrate included other lesser-known critical minerals such as germanium and gallium.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 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

But China currently accounts for roughly one-third of global chip manufacturing — and also possesses a chokehold on critical minerals, such as gallium and germanium, that make chip manufacturing possible.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

Two oxides of germanium are known, the dioxide, GeO2, being obtained by roasting the sulphide and treatment with nitric acid.

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