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

In 2018, Qualcomm's $44 billion attempt to acquire Dutch semiconductor firm NXP collapsed after Chinese regulators declined to grant antitrust approval despite the deal clearing other major jurisdictions. —Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026

Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan are deeply embedded in our semiconductor supply chains and are essential partners in maintaining Taiwanese democracy. —Pat Ryan, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026

The warehouse includes more than 100,000 feet of containerized hazardous materials storage for chemicals used in semiconductor production, according to the lawsuit. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

The good news for Samsung is that while the MX division struggles, its semiconductor division is raking it in. —ArsTechnica, 24 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