zener diode

or Zener diode

[ zee-ner ]

noun

, Electronics.

1. a semiconductor diode across which the reverse voltage remains almost constant over a wide range of currents, used especially to regulate voltage.

Zener diode

/ ˈziːnə /

noun

1. a semiconductor diode that exhibits a sharp increase in reverse current at a well-defined reverse voltage: used as a voltage regulator

Word History and Origins

Origin of zener diode¹

First recorded in 1955–60; named after U.S. physicist Clarence Melvin Zener (1905–93)

Word History and Origins

Origin of zener diode¹

C20: named after C. M. Zener (1905–93), US physicist