transistor
noun
tran·sis·tor
tran-ˈzi-stər 
tran(t)-ˈsi-
1
: a solid-state electronic device that is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment and usually consists of a small block of a semiconductor (such as germanium) with at least three electrodes
2
: a transistorized radio
Examples of transistor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While both the Intel 18A and TSMC’s N2 nodes utilize gate-all-around transistors, Intel has added backside power delivery to its design, enhancing efficiency and performance.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
In normal silicon, a transistor's threshold voltage can be adjusted by doping the silicon—implanting impurities that change the semiconductor's behavior.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2025
Now, know that the raw transistor counts don’t directly translate into differences in performance.
—PCMAG, 4 Mar. 2025
But also: Can any of its investment — especially for the transistor IP that TSMC develops in Taiwan, not the U.S. — be leveraged in TSMC’s Taiwan operations?
—Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for transistor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
In normal silicon, a transistor's threshold voltage can be adjusted by doping the silicon—implanting impurities that change the semiconductor's behavior.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2025
Now, know that the raw transistor counts don’t directly translate into differences in performance.
—PCMAG, 4 Mar. 2025
But also: Can any of its investment — especially for the transistor IP that TSMC develops in Taiwan, not the U.S. — be leveraged in TSMC’s Taiwan operations?
—Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for transistor
Cite this Entry
“Transistor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transistor. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
transistor
noun
tran·sis·tor
tranz-ˈis-tər
tran(t)s-
1
: an electronic device that consists of a small block of a semiconductor (as germanium) with at least three electrodes and is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment (as a radio or computer)
2
: a radio having transistors
called also transistor radio
Medical Definition
transistor
noun
tran·sis·tor
tranz-ˈis-tər, tran(t)s-
: a solid-state electronic device that is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment and consists of a small block of a semiconductor (as germanium) with at least three electrodes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share