semiconductor

American  

[sem-ee-kuhn-duhk-ter, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm i kənˈdʌk tər, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

noun

1. a substance, as silicon or germanium, with electrical conductivity intermediate between that of an insulator and a conductor: a basic component of various kinds of electronic circuit element semiconductor device used in communications, control, and detection technology and in computers.

2. a semiconductor device.

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semiconductor British  

/ ˌsɛmɪkənˈdʌktə /

noun

1. a substance, such as germanium or silicon, that has an electrical conductivity that increases with temperature and is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator

2. 1. a device, such as a transistor or integrated circuit, that depends on the properties of such a substance

   2. ( as modifier )

      a semiconductor diode

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semiconductor Scientific  

/ sĕm′ē-kən-dŭk′tər /

1. Any of various solid substances, such as silicon or germanium, that conduct electricity more easily than insulators but less easily than conductors. In semiconductors, thermal energy is enough to cause a small number of electrons to escape from the valence bonds between the atoms (the valence band); they orbit instead in the higher-energy conduction band, in which they are relatively free. The resulting gaps in the valence band are called holes. Semiconductors are vital to the design of electronic components and circuitry, including transistors, laser diodes, and memory and computer processing circuits.

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semiconductor Cultural  

1. A material that conducts (see conduction) electricity, but very poorly. Silicon is the most common and familiar semiconductor. Devices made from semiconductors, such as the transistor, are the basis of the modern microelectric industry.

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Other Word Forms

• semiconduction noun

Etymology

Origin of semiconductor

First recorded in 1875–80; semi- + conductor

Example Sentences

The economic stakes are enormous given Taiwan is the center of the world’s advanced semiconductor production.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

The semiconductor company has capitalized on the broader market optimism relating to the Iran cease-fire but the stock also has been driven by a series of company announcements.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

As an industry bellwether, TSMC’s results are often interpreted as a read-across for demand across the wider semiconductor and electronics supply chain.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Japan is spending billions of dollars to diversify its supplies of energy and critical minerals and support industries that are indispensable to the modern economy, including key parts of the semiconductor supply chain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

For a discussion of Congressional findings regarding extending protection to semiconductor chip products of foreign entities, see Pub.

From Copyright Law of the United States of America and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code, Circular 92 by United States