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

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

In the United States, this category includes minerals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, lithium, tellurium, germanium, and many others.

From Science Daily • Dec. 28, 2025

Its negative pendant shows the same form in silicon, germanium and tin; again, the fourth was unexamined.

From Occult Chemistry Clairvoyant Observations on the Chemical Elements by Sinnett, A. P.