solid-state

adjective

sol·​id-state ˌsä-ləd-ˈstāt 

1

: relating to the properties, structure, or reactivity of solid material

especially : relating to the arrangement or behavior of ions, molecules, nucleons, electrons, and holes in the crystals of a substance (such as a semiconductor) or to the effect of crystal imperfections on the properties of a solid substance

solid-state physics

2

a

: utilizing the electric, magnetic, or optical properties of solid materials

solid-state circuitry

b

: using semiconductor devices rather than electron tubes

a solid-state radio

Examples of solid-state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As an integral part of its decarbonization strategy, Toyota says that its new solid-state batteries could be offered in its next-gen EVs as early as 2027. —Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

These include solid-state drives, memory for smartphones, and products for cars, cloud computing and graphics. —David Staats, Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2025

This is the first Alienware laptop to sport PCIe Gen 5 solid-state drives, and thanks to the inclusion of the RTX 5080 GPU, there’s a lot of power and speed to go around. —Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025

With a nominal impedance of 4 ohms and sensitivity of 89 dB, high-power, high-current, solid-state amplifiers will bring out the very best in these speakers. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1951, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for solid-state

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

solid-state

adjective

1

: relating to the characteristics and structure of solid material

2

: using semiconductor devices rather than electron tubes

a solid-state radio