solid-state
adjective
sol·id-state
ˌsä-ləd-ˈstāt 
1
: relating to the properties, structure, or reactivity of solid material
especially
: relating to the arrangement or behavior of ions, molecules, nucleons, electrons, and holes in the crystals of a substance (such as a semiconductor) or to the effect of crystal imperfections on the properties of a solid substance
solid-state physics
2
a
: utilizing the electric, magnetic, or optical properties of solid materials
solid-state circuitry
b
: using semiconductor devices rather than electron tubes
a solid-state radio
Examples of solid-state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In comparison, solid-state memristive devices switch at microsecond timescales.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
The high-energy laser systems that are finding military applications are based on solid-state lasers that use special crystals to convert the input electrical energy into photons.
—Iain Boyd, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024
In typical radio-frequency devices, such as transistors, solid-state diodes, and microwave vacuum tubes, the power tends to fall as the inverse of the frequency squared.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2024
And as soon as 2027, Toyota plans to introduce new solid-state batteries that allow for longer ranges and faster charge times than today’s lithium-ion batteries.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2024
The most recent models use advanced solid-state memory that can be easily expanded.
—Marisa Garcia, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Wind farms in Quebec started doing this in 2011: If the grid is short of power and the AC frequency starts to drop, wind farms can briefly boost their output by as much as 6 percent through a collaboration between the turbines’ solid-state power electronics and their rotors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2024
The researchers have discovered a type of qubit that exists within BLG for extended periods of time, which could also open new avenues for solid-state quantum computing.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024
Thermal Transistors Can Handle Heat With No Moving Parts
H-Lab/UCLA
In November, researchers from University of California, Los Angeles reported the invention of a thermal transistor, the first solid-state device that uses an electronic signal to control the flow of heat.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Dec. 2023
IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
The high-energy laser systems that are finding military applications are based on solid-state lasers that use special crystals to convert the input electrical energy into photons.
—Iain Boyd, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024
In typical radio-frequency devices, such as transistors, solid-state diodes, and microwave vacuum tubes, the power tends to fall as the inverse of the frequency squared.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2024
And as soon as 2027, Toyota plans to introduce new solid-state batteries that allow for longer ranges and faster charge times than today’s lithium-ion batteries.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2024
The most recent models use advanced solid-state memory that can be easily expanded.
—Marisa Garcia, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Wind farms in Quebec started doing this in 2011: If the grid is short of power and the AC frequency starts to drop, wind farms can briefly boost their output by as much as 6 percent through a collaboration between the turbines’ solid-state power electronics and their rotors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2024
The researchers have discovered a type of qubit that exists within BLG for extended periods of time, which could also open new avenues for solid-state quantum computing.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024
Thermal Transistors Can Handle Heat With No Moving Parts
H-Lab/UCLA
In November, researchers from University of California, Los Angeles reported the invention of a thermal transistor, the first solid-state device that uses an electronic signal to control the flow of heat.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solid-state.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1951, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near solid-state
Cite this Entry
“Solid-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solid-state. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
solid-state
adjective1
: relating to the characteristics and structure of solid material
2
: using semiconductor devices rather than electron tubes
a solid-state radio
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