transistor

[tran-zis-ter]

noun

1. Electronics.,  a semiconductor device that amplifies, oscillates, or switches the flow of current between two terminals by varying the current or voltage between one of the terminals and a third: although much smaller in size than a vacuum tube, it performs similar functions without requiring current to heat a cathode.

2. Informal.,  a transistorized radio.

adjective

1. Informal.,  transistorized.

   a transistor radio.

transistor

/ trænˈzɪstə /

noun

1. a semiconductor device, having three or more terminals attached to electrode regions, in which current flowing between two electrodes is controlled by a voltage or current applied to one or more specified electrodes. The device is capable of amplification, etc, and has replaced the valve in most circuits since it is much smaller, more robust, and works at a much lower voltage See also junction transistor field-effect transistor

2. informal,  a transistor radio

transistor

1. An electronic device that controls the flow of an electric current, most often used as an amplifier or switch. Transistors usually consist of three layers of semiconductor material, in which the flow of electric current across the outer layer is regulated by the voltage or current applied at the middle layer. Having replaced the vacuum tube, transistors are the basis of much modern electronic technology, including the microprocessor.

2. See also logic circuit logic gate

transistor

1. An electronic device that can work as an amplifier, transforming weak electrical signals into strong ones. It is normally made from silicon or other semiconductors.

The transistor is the basic device used in miniaturized electronic systems, such as portable radios, or as a fast switch in computers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of transistor¹

First recorded in 1945–50; trans(fer) + (res)istor

Word History and Origins

Origin of transistor¹

C20: originally a trademark, from _transfer + _resistor , referring to the transfer of electric signals across a resistor

Example Sentences

When she addressed the audience, Su pulled one of the company’s chips out of her pocket and said it had 185 billion transistors and took nine months to make.

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“We have targeted our R&D investments to create new products and technologies that will enable even faster and more energy-efficient transistors, chips and systems and drive our growth in the years ahead,” Hill said.

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The U.S. has banned the sale of tools known as extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, which inscribe silicon wafers with microscopic patterns filled by billions of transistors.

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While Nexperia is a small player in the automotive-chip market overall, it is the market leader for a basic category of chips mainly consisting of transistors and diodes.

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A major advantage of their design is that each artificial neuron fits within the footprint of a single transistor, whereas older designs required tens or even hundreds.

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