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

Several of his initial tariffs have since flip-flopped, and semiconductors were left exempt. —Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Key technologies in the semiconductor industry, including chip packaging, power distribution and thermal management, will only grow in importance and drive new innovations to keep pace. —Steven Woo, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

Trump announced a 15% levy on most imports from the 27-nation European Union, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, after talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry, Scotland. —Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 27 July 2025

Controlling the semiconductors most suitable for inference could become a more central point of a future U.S. export control strategy, particularly as Chinese companies incorporate models like DeepSeek’s into new real-world applications. —Owen J. Daniels, Foreign Affairs, 25 July 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