semiconductor

noun

semi·con·duc·tor ˌse-mē-kən-ˈdək-tər

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

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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

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Style

“Semiconductor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiconductor. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

semiconductor

noun

semi·con·duc·tor ˌsem-i-kən-ˈdək-tər

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

: 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: 17 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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semiconductor

noun

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Examples of semiconductor in a Sentence

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