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

The simulations allowed the team to examine how electrons move across metal-semiconductor interfaces and determine the critical tunneling length, the point at which electron leakage begins to affect transistor performance. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026

The company was impressed by his work, later inviting him back during his summer breaks from Cornell University and, during his time at Bell, Smith developed a reliability test for semiconductors. —Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 15 June 2026

With stock indexes now holding more semiconductors than ever, perhaps this month's whipsaw has investors paying up for hedges. —Oliver Renick, CNBC, 15 June 2026

Mubadala has expanded far beyond traditional energy investments into semiconductor supply chains, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences, and digital infrastructure. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for semiconductor

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

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