noun
silicate
SIL-ih-kut
Silicate (noun) means any salt of silica or of a silicic acid, or any mineral made up of such salts. Example: “Most of the rocks in the Earth's crust are made of silicates.”
noun
1
chemistry Any salt of silica or of a silicic acid, or any mineral made up of such salts.
"Most of the rocks in the Earth's crust are made of silicates."
"Feldspar and mica are both silicate minerals."
"The geologist identified the gray crystals as a silicate."
How to use silicate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA chemical compound or mineral based on silica.
When to use it
It is a technical word used in chemistry and geology.
Memory tip
Do not confuse silicate with silicon, which is the element, whereas a silicate is a compound containing it.
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Common pairings
silicate mineral
silicate rock
sodium silicate
magnesium silicate
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Most of the rocks in the Earth's crust are made of _____.
Etymology
The word was formed in English from silicic acid and the suffix -ate, which marks a salt or ester.
Rhymes for silicate
See all rhymes for silicate →Frequently asked questions
What is a silicate?
A silicate is a salt of silica or of a silicic acid. The word is also used for minerals composed of such salts.
What is the plural of silicate?
The plural is silicates.
How do you pronounce silicate?
It is pronounced SIL-ih-kut, with the stress on the first syllable.
What is the meaning of silicate?
"silicate" (noun) means any salt of silica or of a silicic acid, or any mineral made up of such salts.
