transistor

noun

tran·​sis·​tor tran-ˈzi-stər 

tran(t)-ˈsi-

1

: a solid-state electronic device that is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment and usually consists of a small block of a semiconductor (such as germanium) with at least three electrodes

2

: a transistorized radio

Examples of transistor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Only after months of anxious troubleshooting did engineers conclude that the spacecraft's elliptical orbit would enable it to get far enough away from the giant planet for the transistors to recover from the radiation assault during the flybys. —Joel Achenbach, arkansasonline.com, 20 Oct. 2024

Both of these display types rely on that silicon layer into which the transistors are patterned. —Willy Shih, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

The team determined that the transistors can self-heal in between flybys. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024

Technological developments like transistors, lasers, and lithium-ion batteries also won awards for their broad applications across industries. —Gerui Wang, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

trans- + (re)sist(ance) entry 1 + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing transistor

• field-effect transistor
• transistor radio

Kids Definition

transistor

noun

tran·​sis·​tor tranz-ˈis-tər 

tran(t)s-

1

: an electronic device that consists of a small block of a semiconductor (as germanium) with at least three electrodes and is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment (as a radio or computer)

2

: a radio having transistors

called also transistor radio

Medical Definition

transistor

noun

tran·​sis·​tor tranz-ˈis-tər, tran(t)s- 

: a solid-state electronic device that is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment and consists of a small block of a semiconductor (as germanium) with at least three electrodes