microchip

[ mahy-kroh-chip ]

noun

, Electronics.

1. chip ¹( def 5 ).

microchip

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌtʃɪp /

noun

1. a small piece of semiconductor material carrying many integrated circuits

verb

1. tr to implant (an animal) with a microchip tag linked to a national computer network for purposes of identification

microchip

/ mī′krə-chĭp′ /

1. See integrated circuit

microchip

1. The basic component of modern miniaturized electronics. The “chip” is a series of electrical circuits built into a tiny wafer of silicon or another semiconductor .

Notes

These circuits may be made by exposing the chip to a high-temperature vapor of controlled composition. The vapor deposits a thin layer (sometimes only a few atoms thick) on the silicon. In this way complex layers of materials, such as those found in transistors can be built up in a very small area.

Word History and Origins

Origin of microchip¹

First recorded in 1965–70; micro- + chip ¹

Example Sentences

By some measures, Biden had achieved a lot in his term — passing a $1-trillion bipartisan measure to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure, bolstering the critical microchip industry with another law, forgiving debt on some student loans, capping insulin prices for senior citizens and increasing subsidies for insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

From Los Angeles Times

Its return stemmed from a significant microchip shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic that affected everything from cellphones and cars to satellites and generative AI.

From Salon

The recycling centre takes in waste from across the UK and the tortoise has a microchip that is not registered to a location.

From BBC

“We have ideas about how to develop EUV further. By 2030, the goal is to have a microchip with one trillion transistors on it. Today, we are maybe at a hundred billion.”

From BBC

“The semiconductor industry has this dominating strong roadmap which provides a drumbeat for all players contributing to the solution. With this, we are able to provide progress in terms of microchip fabrication which today allows things like artificial intelligence which were unthinkable even ten years ago,” says Dr Rohmund.

From BBC

Related Words

• chip
• circuitry
• microprocessor
• silicon chip