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

Did you know?

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

Here are some of the major U.S. CEO changes so far this year: Intel The semiconductor company ousted CEO Pat Gelsinger earlier this month, nearly four years after he was appointed to turn the chipmaker around and better compete with rivals. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024

Ecosystems help provide water to grow commodities like rice, grains, and cotton, as well as the water needed to manufacture key components, such as semiconductors, to power data centers that support artificial intelligence. —Mindy Lubber, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

The first and largest section will focus on the huge opportunities being brought on by semiconductors and the AI revolution. —Julian Issa, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

What to watch: TSMC is building a fabrication facility in Phoenix and has two more planned in the U.S. as part of a Biden push to onshore semiconductor production. —Dave Lawler, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

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