semiconductor

noun

semi·​con·​duc·​tor ˌse-mē-kən-ˈdək-tər 

ˌse-ˌmī-,

-mi-

: any of a class of solids (such as germanium or silicon) whose electrical conductivity is between that of a conductor and that of an insulator in being nearly as great as that of a metal at high temperatures and nearly absent at low temperatures

Did you know?

A semiconductor is a crystal material whose ability to conduct electricity rises as its temperature goes up. That is, it sometimes acts as a conductor and sometimes as an insulator. Its conducting ability can be much increased by chemical treatment. A manufactured chip of silicon, less than half an inch square, may contain millions of microscopic transistors, which can serve control and memory functions when installed in a computer, automobile, cell phone, DVD player, or microwave oven.

Examples of semiconductor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On reports that Meta would be boosting its artificial intelligence spending, other semiconductor stocks such as Nvidia, Marvell Technology, Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices rose in unison. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 May 2025

According to Reuters, Chinese officials have compiled a list of critical imports—including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and aircraft parts—to exempt from China's 125-percent reciprocal tariff on U.S. products. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

In the meantime, Intel plans to use its 18A chip node to develop semiconductors not only for third-party customers but also for its own business. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025

On the other hand, the Trump administration should aim to keep high-end, strategic manufacturing—in sectors such as semiconductors and industrial robotics—close to balanced, through formulaic reciprocal tariffs. —Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for semiconductor

• superconductor
• abductor
• conductor
• constructor
• destructor
• inductor
• instructor

Kids Definition

semiconductor

noun

semi·​con·​duc·​tor ˌsem-i-kən-ˈdək-tər 

ˌsem-ˌī-

: any of a class of solids (as germanium) that have an ability to conduct electricity between that of a conductor and that of an insulator

semiconducting

-tiŋ

adjective

Medical Definition

semiconductor

noun

semi·​con·​duc·​tor -kən-ˈdək-tər 

: any of a class of solids (as germanium or silicon) whose electrical conductivity is between that of a conductor and that of an insulator in being nearly as great as that of a metal at high temperatures and nearly absent at low temperatures