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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
The famous Moore’s Law said the number of transistors on a chip—basically transistor density—doubles every two years or so.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2024
If impure quartz is used, the outside materials can hamper the effectiveness of the transistor.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024
Project manager Jordan Evans said the transistors — located in circuits across the entire spacecraft — are expected to degrade when Europa Clipper is exposed to the worst of the radiation during the 49 flybys of the moon.
—Marcia Dunn, The Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2024
Though both versions of the Raspberry Pi 5 use a single LPDDR4X memory module, the lower capacity of the memory module on the 2GB version means far fewer power-hungry transistors in the memory chip.
—PCMAG, 7 Sep. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing transistor
Dictionary Entries Near transistor
Cite this Entry
“Transistor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transistor. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on transistor
Nglish: Translation of transistor for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about transistor
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