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

With multiple units already in operation, Agibot plans to expand deployment to 100 robots by Q3 2026, accelerating adoption across industries including automotive, semiconductors, and energy. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026

In 2024, Intel was reported to be the third-largest semiconductor chip manufacturer in the world by revenue and has made a regular appearance on the Forbes 500 list of the biggest companies in the United States for nearly the last 20 years. —Chris Anderson, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

In the event of a Chinese invasion, the global fight for control of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry would have potentially catastrophic consequences internationally. —Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026

In a note Sunday, Goldman Sachs pointed out that semiconductors have outperformed software by 20 percentage points in last week’s five sessions. —Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for semiconductor

• superconductor
• abductor
• conductor
• constructor
• destructor
• inductor
• instructor

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