semiconductor
/ˌsem.i.kənˈdʌk.tər/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A semiconductor is a material that conducts electricity better than an insulator, but not as well as a metal. It is used to make electronic devices like chips and sensors.
- Silicon is a common semiconductor.
- My phone chip uses a semiconductor.
Adinary Nuance
A semiconductor is not the same as a conductor or an insulator. A conductor lets electricity flow easily, while an insulator blocks it. Semiconductor is the middle term, and it is the standard word in electronics and science.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chất bán dẫn
- Spanish
- semiconductor
- Chinese
- 半导体
- Japanese
- 半導体
- Korean
- 반도체
Etymology
The word came into English in the early 20th century from science. It combines Latin semi- meaning “half” and conductor, because the material conducts only partly.
Common phrases
semiconductor chipsemiconductor industrysemiconductor devicesemiconductor material
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is semiconductor the same as silicon?
- No. Silicon is a common semiconductor material, but not all semiconductors are silicon.
- Is semiconductor a technical word?
- Yes. It is common in science, engineering, and business news about electronics.
- What is a semiconductor used for?
- It is used in chips, computers, phones, solar cells, and many electronic devices.