transistor

tran·sis·tor | \ tran-ˈzi-stər

, tran(t)-ˈsi- \

Definition of transistor

1 : a solid-state electronic device that is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment and usually consists of a small block of a semiconductor (such as germanium) with at least three electrodes

2 : a transistorized radio

Examples of transistor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This is how transistors are etched onto the surface of the silicon wafer. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, "This Is the World's Largest Computer Chip," 27 Aug. 2019 Most of modern technology, from transistors and lasers to the gadgets in our pockets, runs on this quantum weirdness. — Dennis Overbye, New York Times, "Quantum Computing Is Coming, Bit by Qubit," 21 Oct. 2019 Northern California became a center of advanced electronics: transistors and semiconductors, rather than computers, at first. — Kim Phillips-fein, The New Republic, "The Failed Political Promise of Silicon Valley," 27 Sep. 2019 The patent describes how a laser diode can be configured to emit pulses of laser light using a circuit that includes an inductor and a gallium nitride transistor. — Mark Harris, Ars Technica, "Vigilante engineer stops Waymo from patenting key lidar technology," 1 Oct. 2018 Intel has fallen behind chip-making giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. in the race to make the smallest transistors that power the fastest computers. — Asa Fitch, WSJ, "Intel’s Chip Shortage, Competition in Focus: What to Watch," 23 Jan. 2020 The red Corvette convertible comes with a matching red interior, tinted glass, AM/FM radio, posi-traction, head restraints, audio alarm system, full transistor ignition, auxiliary black vinyl hardtop and luggage rack. — Lorraine Longhi, azcentral, "Barrett-Jackson: Drummer Travis Barker's vehicles among cars being auctioned on Thursday," 16 Jan. 2020 Semiconductors are mazes of circuitry consisting of components such as transistors carved into silicon. — The Economist, "A look inside the factory around which the modern world turns," 18 Dec. 2019 In the late 1960s, the coaches at T.L. Hanna High School spotted him pushing a shopping cart and carrying a transistor radio. — Josh Peter, USA TODAY, "Reporter recalls the man and the story that became inspiration for the movie 'Radio'," 15 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'transistor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

23 Mar 2020

Cite this Entry

“Transistor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transistor. Accessed 31 Mar. 2020.

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More Definitions for transistor

transistor

noun

English Language Learners Definition of transistor

: a small device that is used to control the flow of electricity in radios, computers, etc.

See the full definition for transistor in the English Language Learners Dictionary

transistor

noun

tran·sis·tor | \ tran-ˈzi-stər

Kids Definition of transistor

: a small solid electronic device used for controlling the flow of electricity

transistor

noun

tran·sis·tor | \ tranz-ˈis-tər, tran(t)s-

Medical Definition of transistor

: a solid-state electronic device that is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment and consists of a small block of a semiconductor (as germanium) with at least three electrodes

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