SEMICONDUCTOR Definition & Meaning

semiconductor

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

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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 semiconductor device used in communications, control, and detection technology and in computers.
a semiconductor device.

semiconductor

/ ˌ��ɛ��ɪ��ə��ˈ��ʌ��ə /

noun

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
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

/ ��ĕ��′ē-��ə��-��ŭ��′��ə�� /

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

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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Derived Forms

ˌ��𳾾��ǲ�ˈ��ܳ��پ��ǲ�, noun

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of semiconductor¹

First recorded in 1875–80; semi- + conductor

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

For example, the U.S. imports a significant amount of computer chips and semiconductors from Taiwan, but doesn’t export any product in particular to the island — resulting in a $74 billion trade deficit with Taiwan.

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While Taiwan leads in semiconductors, India can tap into packaging, testing and lower-end chip manufacturing - if it strengthens infrastructure and policy support.

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And he’s threatened to levy tariffs on semiconductors that power consumer electronics while criticizing a federal program championed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, that has funded domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

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He has also criticized Taiwan’s semiconductor industry for taking business away from the U.S. and threatened to levy tariffs on Taiwanese chips.

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Trump has also criticized Taiwan’s cutting-edge semiconductor industry for “stealing” U.S. business and threatened tariffs on Taiwanese chips.

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