transistor

American  

[tran-zis-ter] / trænˈzɪs tər /

noun

1. Electronics. a semiconductor device that amplifies, oscillates, or switches the flow of current between two terminals by varying the current or voltage between one of the terminals and a third: although much smaller in size than a vacuum tube, it performs similar functions without requiring current to heat a cathode.

2. Informal. a transistorized radio.

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adjective

1. Informal. transistorized.

   a transistor radio.

transistor British  

/ trænˈzɪstə /

noun

1. a semiconductor device, having three or more terminals attached to electrode regions, in which current flowing between two electrodes is controlled by a voltage or current applied to one or more specified electrodes. The device is capable of amplification, etc, and has replaced the valve in most circuits since it is much smaller, more robust, and works at a much lower voltage See also junction transistor field-effect transistor

2. informal a transistor radio

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transistor Scientific  

/ trăn-zĭs′tər /

1. An electronic device that controls the flow of an electric current, most often used as an amplifier or switch. Transistors usually consist of three layers of semiconductor material, in which the flow of electric current across the outer layer is regulated by the voltage or current applied at the middle layer. Having replaced the vacuum tube, transistors are the basis of much modern electronic technology, including the microprocessor.

2. See also logic circuit logic gate

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transistor Cultural  

1. An electronic device that can work as an amplifier, transforming weak electrical signals into strong ones. It is normally made from silicon or other semiconductors.

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Discover More

The transistor is the basic device used in miniaturized electronic systems, such as portable radios, or as a fast switch in computers.

Etymology

Origin of transistor

First recorded in 1945–50; trans(fer) + (res)istor

Example Sentences

Bell Labs, the legendary research-and-development organization, created foundational innovations like transistors that pervade the modern world.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company designs and manufactures ion implantation equipment that is critical in creating transistors on chips.

From MarketWatch

"There was a lot of development between the discovery of a reaction for sequencing DNA and modern genomics; decades between the first transistor and putting a billion transistors on a chip," Chait says.

From Science Daily

Nexperia makes chips for power management, diodes, transistors, and simple integrated circuits that control parts of a car.

From Barron's

Each transistor contains a channel that opens and closes to regulate the flow of electrons.

From Science Daily