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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Trump said the nation could attract more semiconductor investment through the use of tariffs, rather than subsidies, and touted a $165 billion investment from Taiwan Semiconductors to build a plant in the U.S.
—
Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2025
Other semiconductor stocks slumped alongside Marvell, with the VanEck Semiconductor ETF last down 4%.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025
South Korea’s main exports to the U.S. are semiconductors and cars, while its imports from the U.S. are led by crude petroleum and machinery.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
The top-performing subsectors were industry conglomerates, semiconductors, and construction materials.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
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Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2025
Other semiconductor stocks slumped alongside Marvell, with the VanEck Semiconductor ETF last down 4%.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025
South Korea’s main exports to the U.S. are semiconductors and cars, while its imports from the U.S. are led by crude petroleum and machinery.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
The top-performing subsectors were industry conglomerates, semiconductors, and construction materials.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semiconductor
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Cite this Entry
“Semiconductor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiconductor. Accessed 12 Mar. 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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