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

Today, gallium is widely used in semiconductors, telecommunications equipment, LEDs, laser diodes, solar panels, high performance computing, the aerospace and defense industries, and as a safer alternative to mercury in thermometers.

From Science Daily • Jul. 9, 2026

Bulky server racks and wafer-thin semiconductors needed for the AI build-out are taking up space in cargo planes once occupied by packages of low-price apparel and knickknacks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026

"Our research not only advances the theoretical understanding of quantum impurities but is also directly relevant for ongoing experiments with ultracold atomic gases, two-dimensional materials, and novel semiconductors," adds the Heidelberg physicist.

From Science Daily • Jul. 9, 2026

Samsung's latest forecast, released on Tuesday ahead of its full results due later in July, comes as demand for semiconductors continues to outstrip supplies - which has pushed up prices.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026

Rattlesnakes and doped semiconductors detect infrared radiation perfectly well.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan