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

Even though the broader semiconductor industry has improved somewhat, driven by a surge in demand for artificial intelligence chips and a modest recovery in the personal computer market, Texas Instruments has faced challenges in its key automotive and industrial segments. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Arizona has been one of the largest benefactors of the Biden-era legislation, which provides loans and grants to semiconductor companies built on U.S. soil. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025

The semiconductor company jumped 12.1% on the heels of better-than-anticipated earnings for its fourth quarter and strong current-quarter guidance. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025

The most recent, in March 2022, affected nearly 5.5 million residents and cost semiconductor, petrochemical, and steel businesses more than $16 million. —Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 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