microchip

American  

[mahy-kroh-chip] / ˈmaɪ kroʊˌtʃɪp /

noun

Electronics.

1. chip.

---

microchip British  

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌtʃɪp /

noun

1. a small piece of semiconductor material carrying many integrated circuits

---

verb

1. (tr) to implant (an animal) with a microchip tag linked to a national computer network for purposes of identification

microchip Scientific  

/ mī′krə-chĭp′ /

1. See integrated circuit

---

microchip Cultural  

1. The basic component of modern miniaturized electronics. The “chip” is a series of electrical circuits built into a tiny wafer of silicon or another semiconductor.

---

Discover More

These circuits may be made by exposing the chip to a high-temperature vapor of controlled composition. The vapor deposits a thin layer (sometimes only a few atoms thick) on the silicon. In this way complex layers of materials, such as those found in transistors can be built up in a very small area.

Etymology

Origin of microchip

First recorded in 1965–70; micro- + chip ¹

Example Sentences

The firm has done so using complex financial maneuvers, like creating investment-grade debt backed by shares in hard assets such as microchip factories.

From The Wall Street Journal

South Korea, which exists under the constant threat of war, has built a booming arms-export sector that provides a second engine of growth alongside microchip exports.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are nine beavers in the enclosure but many of the kits were born at Wallington, meaning the team was keen to check on the health of the youngsters and fit them with microchips.

From BBC

We are now one generation of technological alchemy away from the smallest possible silicon microchips.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sometime in the next 15 years, the same technology that produced the world’s first photograph will allow us to make the most powerful, densely packed silicon microchips allowed by physics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chip
• circuitry
• microprocessor
• silicon chip