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

Cerebras sells the Wafer-Scale Engine 3, a single 5nm AI accelerator with 4 trillion transistors and 900,000 cores fabricated on one continuous wafer. —Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026

By our count, Americans created or supported 76 of the 100 most important inventions of the past 250 years, from the telegraph and the electric grid to the airplane, the transistor, the personal computer, and generative AI. —Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 13 May 2026

Among their uses, Linde’s gases create the fizz in sparkling waters, provide respiratory support to hospital patients, and help lasers etch billions of tiny transistors onto artificial intelligence chips. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 9 May 2026

Plus, these particles are essential components of modern electronics, powering transistors and high-definition displays in smartphones and computers. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 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