What does semiconductor mean?
A semiconductor is a material, such as silicon or germanium, whose ability to conduct electricity falls between that of metals and insulators. Its conductivity can also be deliberately altered by applying an electrical voltage, allowing it to act as a switch, amplify signals, or control current. This property is the basis of transistors and integrated circuits, which are used in computers, phones, medical equipment, and many other modern electronic systems. The word is also used informally for the chips or devices themselves, although a technical discussion may distinguish the semiconductor material from the finished component. Its electrical behavior depends on temperature, impurities, and the material’s crystal structure, making precise control essential in electronics manufacturing.
nounA material, typically a semiconductor such as silicon or germanium, that conducts electricity less effectively than a metal conductor but more effectively than an insulator. The term is also commonly used for electronic devices made from such materials, especially integrated circuits.
- A material whose electrical conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an insulator, used in electronic devices.
- An electronic device, especially an integrated circuit or chip, made from a semiconductor material.
"The new processor uses a semiconductor that consumes less power than its predecessor."
"Silicon is the semiconductor most commonly used in computer chips."
"The company announced a new semiconductor for use in electric vehicles."
The plural is used for individual semiconductor materials, devices, or chips.
"Semiconductors are used in nearly every modern electronic device."
A semiconductor does not fully conduct electricity like a metal or fully block it like an insulator; its middle behaviour is exactly what makes modern electronics possible.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does semiconductor come from?
The English word was formed from the prefix “semi-” and “conductor,” literally meaning a substance that conducts partially or imperfectly. The English form developed in the nineteenth century alongside the growth of electrical theory and experimentation. Its component “conductor” comes through French from Latin conducere, meaning “to lead” or “to conduct.”
Related word forms
How semiconductor is actually used
In technical contexts, “semiconductor” primarily refers to the material itself. In everyday technology reporting, it often refers to a semiconductor device or chip. The term is standard in British and American English.