semiconductor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium in technical contexts, Low in everyday usageTechnical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “semiconductor” mean?
A material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.
Widely used in electronics for manufacturing devices such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits, forming the basis of modern technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties, associated with technology and innovation.
Frequency
Equally common in technical and academic registers in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “semiconductor” in a Sentence
semiconductor + noun (e.g., industry)adjective + semiconductor (e.g., organic semiconductor)semiconductor used in + noun phraseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “semiconductor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The semiconductor research in Cambridge is groundbreaking.
- This is a key semiconductor component.
American English
- Silicon Valley is hub for semiconductor innovation.
- We require semiconductor-grade materials for production.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the semiconductor sector, a critical part of global technology markets and supply chains.
Academic
Studied in physics, engineering, and materials science for its electronic properties and applications.
Everyday
Rarely used; may appear in conversations about technology, gadgets, or news on tech industries.
Technical
Frequently employed in electronics, computer engineering, and solid-state physics for precise descriptions of materials and devices.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “semiconductor”
- Mispronouncing it as 'semi-conductor' with incorrect stress, or using it synonymously with 'microchip' without acknowledging it's the material, not the device.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It has electrical conductivity that can be modified, lying between that of conductors and insulators.
They form the basis of transistors and integrated circuits, which process and store information in digital devices.
No, while silicon is common, other materials like germanium and gallium arsenide are also used as semiconductors for specific applications.
Their conductivity generally increases with temperature, unlike metals, due to the generation of charge carriers.
A material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.
Semiconductor is usually technical, academic in register.
Semiconductor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛmɪkənˈdʌktə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛmɪkənˈdʌktɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'semi' meaning half, so it's halfway between a conductor and an insulator in electrical properties.
Conceptual Metaphor
A bridge or switch between electrical states, enabling control and modulation of current flow.
Practice
Quiz
What primary role do semiconductors play in electronics?