Definition

A small piece of silicon that contains electronic circuits and is used in computers and other devices to perform various functions.

Example

The new smartphone has a powerful microchip that improves its performance.

Conversation

Have you heard about the new microchip technology they are developing?

Yeah, I read that it can help improve device performance significantly!

It's amazing how small a microchip can be and still hold so much information.

I know, right? It's incredible how far technology has come.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Microchip → It is formed from "micro-" (from Greek "mikros", meaning small) and "chip" (from Old English "cipp", meaning a small piece or fragment). The word "microchip" refers to a small piece of semiconductor material that contains integrated circuits.

Memory Tip

Think of 'small' ('micro-') and a 'piece' ('chip') — a microchip is a small piece of technology.

Visually Confused Words