transistor

noun

tran·​sis·​tor tran-ˈzi-stər 

tran(t)-ˈsi-

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 technology enables chip manufacturers to print billions of transistors onto a chip the size of a fingernail. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

The team achieved that by making each implant’s transistor switch on only when the incoming pulse crosses a specific threshold. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026

The signal passes through a transistor controlled by the Arduino so that the flashes can be started and stopped at prescribed times. — David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2026

Chip and Performance To increase the performance, the phones feature the A20 Pro chip, which uses the latest 2-nanometer manufacturing process to fit more transistors on the silicon, an upgrade from the 3-nanometer node. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

trans- + (re)sist(ance) entry 1 + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing transistor

• field-effect transistor
• transistor radio

Rhymes for transistor

• resister
• resistor
• stepsister
• blister
• lyster
• mister
• sister
• twister

Kids Definition

transistor

noun

tran·​sis·​tor tranz-ˈis-tər 

tran(t)s-

1

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

2

: a radio having transistors

called also transistor radio

Medical Definition

transistor

noun

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

: 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