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

There were a lot of smiling faces Thursday at the Alviso Youth Center as San Jose semiconductor firm ASML presented a $900,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025

However, Musk said the company may have to build a large semiconductor plant to produce chips for its next generation of AI systems. —Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025

Trump also ordered investigations into several other imports, including critical minerals, semiconductors, medical supplies and robotics. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025

For almost a decade, Xi has been establishing Chinese chokeholds on critical industrial inputs that include active pharmaceutical ingredients, semiconductors, batteries, and medical imaging components. —Andy Browne, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025

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