microchip

1 of 2

noun

mi·​cro·​chip ˈmī-krō-ˌchip 

plural microchips

: integrated circuit

The United States pioneered the semiconductor industry, designing the first microchips and the processes for making them, allowing it to become an early tech leader.

—Tripp Mickle and Ana Swanson

Staff will use the RFID system to quickly check in returned books. … The system works because each book is tagged with a readable microchip that contains pertinent information about the book.

—Jean Cole

specifically : an enclosed microchip (such as an RFID chip) that can be implanted (as into an animal) and that transmits an identification number when scanned

Microchips help reunite lost pets with their owners by providing identification that can be scanned at shelters and veterinary clinics.

—Janae' Hancock

Our doctors or technicians can place the microchip in just a few seconds: it is similar to your pet receiving a vaccination.

—Latham Animal Hospital

microchip

2 of 2

verb

microchipped; microchipping; microchips

transitive + intransitive

: to tag or implant with a microchip and especially an RFID chip

To make sure they are found quickly, pet shelters recommend that you microchip your pet.

—Mayra Parrilla Guerrero

In South Africa, laws have recently been passed requiring microchipping of certain rare, native cycads and palms.

—Willow Older

Examples of microchip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The agency pointed out that collars can slip off and animals wander much farther than their owners tend to imagine, but a microchip stays with the animal and gives shelters and veterinarians a direct line back to the pet’s family. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Separately, companies are using photonics to power specialized semiconductor chips that offer data bandwidth at high speeds and relatively low latency while generating less heat than standard silicon microchips. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Destinations abroad may require health certificates, microchips, vaccinations, tests or treatments, and some paperwork must be issued in a narrow window before departure. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2026

The dog was taken to a shelter, where staff cleaned, fed, vaccinated and scanned her for a microchip. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1969, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1988, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for microchip

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip

Kids Definition

microchip

noun

mi·​cro·​chip ˈmī-krō-ˌchip 

: integrated circuit