Phrase guide

in silico

prep_phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɪn ˈsɪlɪkəʊ/
  • General-American: /ɪn ˈsɪlɪkoʊ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

In computer simulation or in virtual reality.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • He was able to dissect the frog in silico.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From in and silicon (from Latin silex (“flint, pebble, stone; crag, rock”)) + Latin -ō, by analogy with English in vitro (“in glass, referring to an experiment conducted in a test tube”). The silico component refers to silicon chips which were used for computing at the time when the term was coined.