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
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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
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On the election campaign trail, Trump had suggested Taiwan should pay for U.S. protection and accused it of siphoning off America’s semiconductor industry, raising alarm in Taipei.
—
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 May 2025
American innovation brought about the semiconductor revolution.
—Eric Schmidt, Time, 29 May 2025
Leaders in energy, manufacturing and transportation must prioritize semiconductor innovation to remain competitive.
—Henrik Mannesson, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Administration officials said those tariff exclusions were designed to allow time for the Commerce Department to conduct a separate trade probe targeting semiconductors.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
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Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 May 2025
American innovation brought about the semiconductor revolution.
—Eric Schmidt, Time, 29 May 2025
Leaders in energy, manufacturing and transportation must prioritize semiconductor innovation to remain competitive.
—Henrik Mannesson, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Administration officials said those tariff exclusions were designed to allow time for the Commerce Department to conduct a separate trade probe targeting semiconductors.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for semiconductor
Cite this Entry
“Semiconductor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiconductor. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
-tiŋ
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
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