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

One transistor is silicon and provides fast readout; the other stores the data without needing refreshing, and is based on an oxide semiconductor. —IEEE Spectrum, 16 Dec. 2024

It’s also called a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor or MOSFET law, which, to some outside of the industry, is unpardonably wonkish. —John Werner, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

The time between flybys can help the spacecraft’s transistors, which help control the vehicle’s flow of electricity recover from radiation exposure. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Oct. 2024

Today’s chips have billions of transistors, tiny gates for managing electric current. —Billy Perrigo, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

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