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

Most of them use relatively simple point-to-point wiring, tubes, and transistors—all of which can be repaired if something goes wonky. —Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025

Keeping to Moore’s Law scaling in this era meant reducing the smallest parts of a transistor by a factor of 0.7 with each generation. —IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2025

Their designs are so intricate—with transistors measured in single-digit nanometers—that currently, only the Taiwanese company TSMC manufactures these top-of-the-line chips. —Harry Booth, TIME, 8 Jan. 2025

According to Shotwell, SpaceX’s satellite communication advancements are moving fast, similar to Moore's Law, which famously predicted that the number of transistors on a computer chip would double about every two years. —Michael Kan, PCMAG, 3 Jan. 2025

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

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