(electronics) A component which is able to amplify or control voltages or currents without mechanical or other nonelectrical command, or to switch currents or voltages without mechanical switches; examples include electron tubes, transistors, and other solid-state devices.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.