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

Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys are two of the largest manufacturers of chip design software, which helps to map billions of microscopic transistors onto a surface area of just a few millimeters. — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 13 July 2026

The company argues that these changes allow higher transistor density and lower power consumption without requiring a new fabrication node. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026

On the other hand, a negative voltage pulls the holes closer to the transistor channel and slows down the degradation process. — Tereza Pultarova, IEEE Spectrum, 7 July 2026

The transistors are stacked on top of one another in a staggered layout in order to maximize the number that can be placed on a single chip. — Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 June 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