microchip

American  

[mahy-kroh-chip] / ˈmaɪ kroʊˌtʃɪp /

noun

Electronics.

1. chip.

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microchip British  

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌtʃɪp /

noun

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

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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

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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.

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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

Asia and Europe face severe risks, microchip makers face helium shortages, and farmers struggle with higher fertilizer costs.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

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 • Mar. 13, 2026

Engineers have taken a major step toward producing the smallest earthquakes ever created, shrinking seismic-style vibrations down to the scale of a microchip.

From Science Daily • Jan. 17, 2026

The puppies are now thought to be pure breds and while Fern has a microchip, it was not registered to an address, so her past life remains a mystery.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2026

Duke knows the microchip is really a listening device.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• chip
• circuitry
• microprocessor
• silicon chip