a substance as germanium or silicon whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator; its conductivity increases with temperature and in the presence of impurities
"Silicon acts as a semiconductor because its ability to conduct electricity lies between that of a metal and an insulator."
a conductor made with semiconducting material
"The new computer chip is built using a semiconductor to control the flow of electricity."
A substance with electrical properties intermediate between a good conductor and a good insulator.
"Silicon is a semiconductor because its ability to conduct electricity falls somewhere between that of copper and rubber."
In plain English: A semiconductor is a special material that can be made to conduct electricity sometimes but not others, which makes it perfect for building computer chips and other electronic devices.
"Modern computers rely on tiny semiconductor chips to process information."
Usage: Semiconductors are materials like silicon that conduct electricity better than insulators but worse than metals, making them essential components in modern electronics such as computer chips. Unlike simple wires or plastic coatings, their unique ability to control electrical flow allows devices to process information efficiently.
The word semiconductor comes from combining the prefix semi-, meaning half, with the noun conductor. It originally described a material that conducts electricity only partially or under specific conditions.