Engineering English
Transistor
Electronics Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A three-terminal semiconductor device that amplifies signals or switches current using a small controlling voltage or current. It is the fundamental building block of modern electronics.
Example in context
“By driving the base of the transistor with a small microcontroller signal, the circuit switches a much larger motor current.”
“Transistörün beyzini küçük bir mikrodenetleyici sinyaliyle sürerek devre, çok daha büyük bir motor akımını anahtarlar.”
Where engineers use it
Appears in amplifiers, switching circuits, and every digital chip; engineers analyze transistor biasing, gain, and switching behavior when designing drivers, power stages, and logic hardware.
Practice: can you use “Transistor” at work?
In a technical interview, you are asked to sketch a circuit that lets a three-volt logic pin control a twelve-volt fan. Explain the role of the transistor and choose its operating region.
Show a model answer
“The transistor amplifies the weak input signal into a stronger output.”
“Transistor” in 21 languages
| English | Transistor |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Transistör |
| French | Transistor |
| German | Transistor |
| Spanish | Transistor |
| Chinese | 晶体管 |
| Arabic | ترانزستور |
| Portuguese | Transistor |
| Russian | Транзистор |
| Japanese | トランジスタ |
| Italian | Transistor |
| Vietnamese | Bóng bán dẫn |
| Hindi | ट्रांजिस्टर |
| Thai | ทรานซิสเตอร์ |
| Indonesian | Transistor |
| Korean | 트랜지스터 |
| Bengali | ট্রানজিস্টর |
| Dutch | Transistor |
| Swedish | Transistor |
| Finnish | Transistori |
| Ukrainian | Транзистор |
Frequently asked questions
What does Transistor mean in engineering?
A three-terminal semiconductor device that amplifies signals or switches current using a small controlling voltage or current. It is the fundamental building block of modern electronics. In Electronics Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Transistor?
Transistor is pronounced /trænˈzɪstər/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Transistor used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “By driving the base of the transistor with a small microcontroller signal, the circuit switches a much larger motor current.”
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