Origin: Latin prefix trans-
Transistor has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
a semiconductor device capable of amplification
"The engineer swapped out the faulty component to restore the radio's ability to amplify weak signals from distant stations."
A solid-state semiconductor device, with three terminals, which can be used for amplification, switching, voltage stabilization, signal modulation, and many other functions.
"The engineer replaced the bulky vacuum tube in the old radio receiver with a modern transistor to improve its sensitivity and reduce power consumption."