semiconductor

[sem-ee-kuhn-duhk-ter, sem-ahy-]

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.

semiconductor

/ 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

semiconductor

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.

semiconductor

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.

Other Word Forms

• semiconduction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of semiconductor¹

First recorded in 1875–80; semi- + conductor

Example Sentences

She said she would have addressed kitchen table issues before legislation about infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing.

From Los Angeles Times

The collaboration is a shot in the arm for American semiconductor manufacturing ambitions, especially at a time when China is starting to forbid the use of Nvidia’s chips to reduce its dependence on U.S. technology.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called the White House investment a "historic" agreement that "strengthens US leadership in semiconductors, which will both grow our economy and help secure America's technological edge".

From BBC

But as the US pushes to reshore industries such as semiconductors, trade groups say there are not enough workers with the necessary skills in the US.

From BBC

The US converted unpaid construction grants designated in the 2023 Chips Act – legislation intended to promote domestic semiconductor manufacturing - into Intel stock.

From BBC