Definition

1. Noun:
   • A semiconductor device capable of amplification: An "electronic transistor" is a fundamental electronic component made from semiconductor material, used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The invention of the electronic transistor revolutionized modern computing.
  • This circuit uses an electronic transistor to boost the audio signal.
  • Engineers replaced the bulky vacuum tube with a tiny electronic transistor.

Advanced Usage

• "Transistor action": Refers to the fundamental operating principle of an electronic transistor, where a small current or voltage at one terminal controls a larger current between two other terminals.
  • Understanding transistor action is key to circuit design.
• In compound terms: While "electronic transistor" is the target term, it is often shortened to just "transistor" in technical contexts, implying its electronic nature.
  • The amplifier design requires a high-gain transistor. (Here, 'transistor' is understood to mean 'electronic transistor').

Variants and Related Words

• Transistor (n): The common shortened form of "electronic transistor".
• Semiconductor (n): The class of materials (like silicon) from which transistors are made.
• Amplifier (n): A device or circuit that increases the power of a signal, often using transistors.

Synonyms

• Semiconductor device: A broader category that includes transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.
• Solid-state device: Emphasizes that the component uses solid semiconductor material rather than vacuum tubes or mechanical parts.

Related Phrases

• Transistor radio: A portable radio receiver that uses transistor circuits.
  • He found an old transistor radio in the attic.
• Field-effect transistor (FET): A major type of transistor that uses an electric field to control conductivity.
  • The FET is common in integrated circuits.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. a semiconductor device capable of amplification