I. tranˈzistə(r), traan-, -n(t)ˈsi- noun
( -s )
Etymology: tran sfer (I) + re sistor; from its transferring an electrical signal across a resistor
: an electronic device similar in use to the electron tube consisting of a small block of a semiconductor (as germanium) on which are placed three electrodes of which the emitter and the collector make contact at points very close together on one side of the block while a metal plate makes contact on the opposite side with the operation of the device depending upon the peculiar conducting properties of semiconductors in which electrons moving in one direction are considered as leaving holes that serve as carriers of positive electricity in the opposite direction
II. noun
or transistor radio
: a transistorized radio