transistor — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A solid-state semiconductor device, with three terminals, which can be used for amplification, switching, voltage stabilization, signal modulation, and many other functions.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Switches and transistors control the flow of electricity like valves and faucets control water. Resistors limit the flow of electricity. […] Light is transmitted from the color LED, through the fiber optic cable, to control the NPN transistor (Q2) and red LED (D1).

2. A transistor radio.

   Usage

   • Dated
   • Informal
   • metonymically

   Examples

   Turn your transistor on and let the music play

Noun

1. a semiconductor device capable of amplification

   Synonyms

   junction transistorelectronic transistor

   Broader terms

   semiconductor devicesemiconductor unitsemiconductor