microchip

American  

[mahy-kroh-chip] / ˈmaɪ kroʊˌtʃɪp /

noun

Electronics.

• microchips
  plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• microchips
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of microchip

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

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Explanation

A microchip is a tiny piece of material that contains electronic circuits allowing it to store a lot of information. Many dogs have microchips so their owners can easily find them if they get lost. Microchips are made by etching an electronic circuit into a bit of silicon the size of a grain of rice. This tiny device can hold computer memory and processors, or be used to conduct electricity. You almost certainly use things that contain microchips just about every day, including calculators, bank ATMs, certain ID cards, cell phones, and televisions. The word microchip was coined in the 1970s from micro-, "small," and the electronics term chip.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

microchip microchips

The comments made by Broadcom’s CEO at a conference in Singapore have been cited as a reason for microchip stocks’ slumps on both Monday and Tuesday.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Although the central microchip is only about the size of a grain of rice, the entire system currently occupies a tabletop laboratory setup.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026

She took him to the vets and managed to use his microchip to track his owner in Sunderland and reunite them.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Kokusai Electric, a microchip equipment maker benefiting from the artificial-intelligence boom, sold for 20 times what KKR paid.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

"Before the nefarious Dr. Loofah puts the microchip in his back!" barks Scruffy.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

The breakthrough could lead to new ways to cool microchips, safeguard delicate electronics, and prevent equipment from being detected through its thermal signature.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang, who owned and operated ALX Solutions Inc., were arrested on suspicion of illegally exporting “tens of millions” of dollars’ worth of microchips, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

Most debit and credit cards today have microchips that boost antifraud security, and many allow tap-to-pay, the safest method.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026

Within tech, Wells Fargo said it prefers software to microchips.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

“He’s founder and CEO of Sinclair Scientifica, a mammoth multinational technology company that makes everything from microchips to missiles,” said Mother.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

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Related Words

• chip
• circuitry
• microprocessor
• silicon chip

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