Silicon Valley

noun

1. the area in northern California, southwest of San Francisco in the Santa Clara valley region, where many of the high-technology design and manufacturing companies in the semiconductor industry are concentrated.

Silicon Valley

noun

1. an industrial strip in W California, extending S of San Francisco, in which the US information technology industry is concentrated
2. any area in which industries associated with information technology are concentrated

Silicon Valley

1. A region on the San Francisco Peninsula in California where the miniaturized electronics industry is centered, so called because most of the devices built there are made of semiconductors such as silicon .

Notes

The term is often used as a catchword to describe the development of high-tech industry (see also high-tech ): “If we can attract this corporation to our town, we could become another Silicon Valley.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Silicon Valley¹

So called from the silicon wafers employed in semiconductor devices

Example Sentences

Officials in Silicon Valley are investigating and have disabled the audio feature on the crossings which usually plays instructions to "walk" or "wait".

From BBC

Many of Silicon Valley’s tech leaders have embraced President Trump in his second term, while many workers stand against him and his policies.

From Los Angeles Times

Customs and Border Protection on Friday evening came as welcome news in Silicon Valley: Major technology products would be exempt from the 125% levy against Beijing in what Trump calls “reciprocal” tariffs.

From Los Angeles Times

Stock prices of Apple, Alphabet and other Silicon Valley tech companies rebounded on Monday after the Trump administration said electronics, including semiconductors and smartphones, were exempt from the “reciprocal tariffs” announced earlier this month.

From Los Angeles Times

The tariffs and in-kind retaliation from other countries would undoubtedly hurt California, from new surcharges on almond exports to deflating Silicon Valley tech stocks.

From Los Angeles Times

Quiz

Q: Fill in the blank: "Salchipapas" is a portmanteau of the Spanish words for ______ and ______.

• salt and potatoes
• sausage and French fries
• sardines and French fries

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