semiconductor

noun

semi·​con·​duc·​tor ˌse-mē-kən-ˈdək-tər How to pronounce semiconductor (audio)
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

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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

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Bhave’s team cited senior analyst Vivek Arya, who covers the semiconductors sector, and his bullish call that despite concerns about the medium term, capital expenditures will still power GDP growth. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025 Blending two worlds In April, the same team made headlines after developing the PoX 2D flash memory prototype, which achieved an extraordinary program speed of 400 picoseconds, the fastest semiconductor charge storage ever recorded. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025 China controls about 70% of the global supply of rare earths minerals, which are critical for high-tech industries, including automobiles, defense and semiconductors. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025 China produces and refines the vast majority of the world’s supply of rare earths, key in several industries, including defense and semiconductor manufacturing. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for semiconductor

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of semiconductor was in 1838

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Cite this Entry

“Semiconductor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiconductor. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

semiconductor

noun
semi·​con·​duc·​tor ˌsem-i-kən-ˈdək-tər How to pronounce semiconductor (audio)
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 How to pronounce semiconductor (audio)
: 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

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