semiconductor

noun

semi·​con·​duc·​tor ˌse-mē-kən-ˈdək-tər How to pronounce semiconductor (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
: any of a class of solids (such as germanium or silicon) whose electrical conductivity is between that of a conductor and that of an insulator in being nearly as great as that of a metal at high temperatures and nearly absent at low temperatures

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A semiconductor is a crystal material whose ability to conduct electricity rises as its temperature goes up. That is, it sometimes acts as a conductor and sometimes as an insulator. Its conducting ability can be much increased by chemical treatment. A manufactured chip of silicon, less than half an inch square, may contain millions of microscopic transistors, which can serve control and memory functions when installed in a computer, automobile, cell phone, DVD player, or microwave oven.

Examples of semiconductor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under a Harris administration, the impact to semiconductors could come in the form of higher corporate tax rates. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 Nvidia, riding the AI boom that has proven so lucrative for the chipmaker, is set to replace semiconductor peer Intel on the benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average. —Byandrew Nusca, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024 Existing semiconductor fabs such as Intel's already claim a near-zero liquid discharge. —Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024 She’s pledged to invest $100 billion in companies working on artificial intelligence, semiconductor chips, and electric vehicles, among other things. —William Gavin, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for semiconductor 

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of semiconductor was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near semiconductor

semiconduction

semiconductor

semiconscious

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Semiconductor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiconductor. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

semiconductor

noun
semi·​con·​duc·​tor ˌsem-i-kən-ˈdək-tər How to pronounce semiconductor (audio)
ˌsem-ˌī-
: any of a class of solids (as germanium) that have an ability to conduct electricity between that of a conductor and that of an insulator
semiconducting
-tiŋ
adjective

Medical Definition

semiconductor

noun
semi·​con·​duc·​tor -kən-ˈdək-tər How to pronounce semiconductor (audio)
: any of a class of solids (as germanium or silicon) whose electrical conductivity is between that of a conductor and that of an insulator in being nearly as great as that of a metal at high temperatures and nearly absent at low temperatures
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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