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

Qualcomm The semiconductor maker also reported quarterly earnings . —Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026

Such devices generally consist of alternating layers of p- and n-type semiconductors connected in series. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026

As semiconductor stocks undergo another bout of severe volatility, Bank of America Global Research has issued a sharp rebuke of prevailing market sentiment, labeling fears driving the current tech-sector selloff as logically impossible. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026

The deal will transfer manufacturing of Silicon Labs’ chips from external foundries to Texas Instruments, which unveiled a $30 billion semiconductor factory in Sherman in December, according to the release. —Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 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