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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As computing requirements grow, automakers are seeking long-term access to critical semiconductor components rather than relying on short-term purchasing cycles.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
2 July 2026
But this would make little dent on the most sensitive exposures for future-shaping products like semiconductors and data center servers that will drive tomorrow’s economy.
—
Eric Kutcher,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
Meanwhile, weakness in semiconductor stocks dragged the Nasdaq lower.
—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Now, the University of California, Los Angeles, and five major semiconductor companies announced in May a new US $125 million university-industry hub that takes that idea and runs with it.
—
Lucas Laursen,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for semiconductor
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Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
2 July 2026
But this would make little dent on the most sensitive exposures for future-shaping products like semiconductors and data center servers that will drive tomorrow’s economy.
—
Eric Kutcher,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
Meanwhile, weakness in semiconductor stocks dragged the Nasdaq lower.
—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Now, the University of California, Los Angeles, and five major semiconductor companies announced in May a new US $125 million university-industry hub that takes that idea and runs with it.
—
Lucas Laursen,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 July 2026
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 Jul. 2026.
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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