transistor
noun /trænˈzɪstə(r)/
/trænˈzɪstər/
- a small electronic device used in computers, radios, televisions, etc. for controlling an electric current as it passes along a circuitTopics Engineeringc1
- (also transistor radio)(also informal tranny especially in British English)a small radio with transistorsTopics TV, radio and newsc2
Word Origin1940s: from transconductance, on the pattern of words such as varistor.