Engineering English
Semiconductor
Electronics Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A material, such as silicon, whose electrical conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an insulator and can be precisely controlled by doping. It is the physical basis of all modern electronic devices.
Example in context
“Doping the semiconductor with phosphorus adds free electrons and turns the silicon wafer into n-type material for the transistor junctions.”
“Yarıiletkenin fosforla katkılanması serbest elektronlar ekler ve silisyum plakayı transistör eklemleri için n tipi malzemeye dönüştürür.”
Where engineers use it
Underpins diodes, transistors, and chips; engineers study semiconductor physics, doping, and junction behavior to understand device characteristics, thermal limits, and fabrication constraints in electronics design.
Antonyms: conductor, insulator
Practice: can you use “Semiconductor” at work?
In a design review, explain to a junior colleague why a semiconductor conducts differently from copper and how doping creates the p-n junction inside a diode.
Show a model answer
“Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor in electronics.”
“Semiconductor” in 21 languages
| English | Semiconductor |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Yarıiletken |
| French | Semi-conducteur |
| German | Halbleiter |
| Spanish | Semiconductor |
| Chinese | 半导体 |
| Arabic | شبه موصل |
| Portuguese | Semicondutor |
| Russian | Полупроводник |
| Japanese | 半導体 |
| Italian | Semiconduttore |
| Vietnamese | Chất bán dẫn |
| Hindi | अर्धचालक |
| Thai | สารกึ่งตัวนำ |
| Indonesian | Semikonduktor |
| Korean | 반도체 |
| Bengali | অর্ধপরিবাহী |
| Dutch | Halfgeleider |
| Swedish | Halvledare |
| Finnish | Puolijohde |
| Ukrainian | Напівпровідник |
Frequently asked questions
What does Semiconductor mean in engineering?
A material, such as silicon, whose electrical conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an insulator and can be precisely controlled by doping. It is the physical basis of all modern electronic devices. In Electronics Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Semiconductor?
Semiconductor is pronounced /ˌsɛmikənˈdʌktər/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Semiconductor used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “Doping the semiconductor with phosphorus adds free electrons and turns the silicon wafer into n-type material for the transistor junctions.”
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