germanium
nounUK /dʒɜːˈmeɪniəm/
US /dʒɜːrˈmeɪniəm/
Germanium is a shiny gray metal-like element found in the earth that is used to make things like computer chips and lenses.
The scientist studied a piece of germanium under the microscope.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A chemical element with the symbol Ge and atomic number 32.
Germanium sits between gallium and arsenic on the periodic table.
3. A material used in infrared optics and fiber-optic cables.
The camera lens was made with germanium to see heat.
4. A semiconductor material used in early transistors.
Early radios sometimes used germanium transistors.