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

Meanwhile, the United States is also stepping up efforts to curb Chinese advanced chipmaking, and has reportedly asked South Korea — one of China’s key trading partners — to adopt export controls on semiconductor tools. —Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024

Samsung’s project adds to a robust semiconductor ecosystem in Texas, including tens of billions of dollars of additional investment from Texas Instruments Inc. in its home state and Samsung’s existing factory in Austin. —Mackenzie Hawkins, Fortune Asia, 12 Apr. 2024

GenX chemicals are made by the Chemours Co., which owns the trade name, to produce fluoropolymers used in semiconductor chips. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024

By Jane Lanhee Lee / Bloomberg April 9, 2024 2:45 AM EDT The U.S. agency tasked with driving scientific research has launched a program to connect American startups with Taiwanese peers, backing the island’s ambitions to foster key players in strategic sectors like semiconductors, AI and beyond. —Jane Lanhee Lee / Bloomberg, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024

This session, at 1 p.m. on 18 April, can explain which IEEE groups offer educational materials for semiconductor engineers. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Apr. 2024

The federal funds are coming from the Chips and Science Act, bipartisan legislation passed in 2022 amid concerns that the United States is ceding too much semiconductor manufacturing to Asia. —Matt Viser, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024

The semiconductor industry leads the trend because no modern economy or military can exist without semiconductors, and the more advanced the chips, the more dominant the economy and its military can be. —Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024

The components will be used in Intel’s $20 billion semiconductor plant, which is being constructed northeast of Columbus. —David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 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