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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During an earnings call, Zhipu AI CEO Zhang Peng reportedly said the company was accelerating its use of domestic Chinese chips to meet a significant rise in computing demand since February, aligning with Beijing's push to develop its domestic semiconductor industry.
—
Dylan Butts, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Robotic wave measurement Electromagnetic wave bands used in next-generation communication components, semiconductor package antennas, and aircraft radar have diversified in recent years.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2024, manufacturing was in a recession while the semiconductor business expanded rapidly.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Lawmakers are investing in semiconductor capacity, energy infrastructure, domestic manufacturing, and supply chain resilience — all with AI at the center of economic strategy.
—Laura Peter, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
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Dylan Butts, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Robotic wave measurement Electromagnetic wave bands used in next-generation communication components, semiconductor package antennas, and aircraft radar have diversified in recent years.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2024, manufacturing was in a recession while the semiconductor business expanded rapidly.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Lawmakers are investing in semiconductor capacity, energy infrastructure, domestic manufacturing, and supply chain resilience — all with AI at the center of economic strategy.
—Laura Peter, Fortune, 29 Mar. 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 Apr. 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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