Definition

Noun: A type of glass composed primarily of silica (silicon dioxide, SiO₂) and boron trioxide (B₂O₃). This compound is known for its very low coefficient of thermal expansion, making it highly resistant to thermal shock compared to ordinary silicate glass.

Usage

"Borosilicate" is used specifically as a material noun to refer to this durable type of glass. It is most commonly encountered in scientific, industrial, and culinary contexts. - It is the standard material for laboratory glassware (e.g., beakers, flasks) and certain high-intensity lighting. - In consumer goods, it is famously used for bakeware and glass cookware (like casserole dishes) that can go from a refrigerator to an oven without breaking. - It is also used in the manufacture of telescope mirrors and other precision optics due to its stability.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The chemist heated the solution in a borosilicate beaker.
  • This baking dish is made of borosilicate, so it's safe for use in a hot oven.
  • The low thermal expansion of borosilicate makes it ideal for scientific applications.

Advanced Usage

• "Borosilicate glass": This is the most frequent full term, explicitly stating the material form. While "borosilicate" alone implies glass in most contexts, "borosilicate glass" is used for absolute clarity.
  • Pyrex® was originally made from borosilicate glass.

Variants and Related Words

• Borosilicate glass (n): The full and most precise term for the material.
• Soda-lime glass (n): The more common type of glass (used in windows, bottles) with higher thermal expansion, often contrasted with borosilicate glass.

Synonyms

• Heat-resistant glass (This is a descriptive synonym, though not all heat-resistant glass is necessarily borosilicate).
• Laboratory glass (A context-specific synonym, as lab glassware is typically made from borosilicate).

Notes on Meaning

The term refers exclusively to the specific chemical compound or the glass made from it. It does not have idiomatic or phrasal verb uses, as it is a technical, material-specific noun. Its primary meaning is constant across contexts, distinguished by its chemical composition and physical properties (especially thermal shock resistance).

Noun

1. a salt of boric and silicic acids