Real Dictionary

semiconductor
countable noun: A semiconductor is a substance used in electronics whose ability to conduct electricity increases with greater heat.

semiconductor in American English
a substance, as germanium or silicon, whose conductivity is poor at low temperatures but is improved by minute additions of certain substances or by the application of heat, light, or voltage: used in transistors, rectifiers, etc.
noun: a substance, as silicon or germanium, with electrical conductivity intermediate between that of an insulator and a conductor: a basic component of various kinds of electronic circuit element (semiconductor device) used in communications, control, and dete

semiconductor in British English
noun: a substance, such as germanium or silicon, that has an electrical conductivity that increases with temperature and is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator. The behaviour may be exhibited by the pure substance ( intrinsic semiconductor) or

semiconductor in Electrical Engineering
noun: A semiconductor is a substance that can act as an electrical conductor or insulator depending on chemical alterations or external conditions.