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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Compete With Common-Sense Restrictions, Don’t Concede Global Market Share To China
U.S. leadership in semiconductors and AI has always been driven by innovation and market scale.
—
Patrick Moorhead, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
However, the potential resumption of H20 chips to China comes as a surprise, Ray Wang, research director of semiconductors, supply chain and emerging technology at Futurum Group, told CNBC.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 15 July 2025
Many produced essential parts, including semiconductors for the B-2 bomber, the Patriot air-defense missile, and the Ohio-class submarine, which carries nuclear missiles.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Calder nodded to Red Aspen, a Boise cosmetics startup that built a new headquarters on Overland Road in 2022, and JST Manufacturing, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer, which in 2021 consolidated three sites into one near the corner of Franklin and Eagle roads on Meridian’s eastern border.
—Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2025
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Patrick Moorhead, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
However, the potential resumption of H20 chips to China comes as a surprise, Ray Wang, research director of semiconductors, supply chain and emerging technology at Futurum Group, told CNBC.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 15 July 2025
Many produced essential parts, including semiconductors for the B-2 bomber, the Patriot air-defense missile, and the Ohio-class submarine, which carries nuclear missiles.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Calder nodded to Red Aspen, a Boise cosmetics startup that built a new headquarters on Overland Road in 2022, and JST Manufacturing, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer, which in 2021 consolidated three sites into one near the corner of Franklin and Eagle roads on Meridian’s eastern border.
—Idaho Statesman, 14 July 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 22 Jul. 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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