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microcircuit

/ˌˈmaɪkroʊˌsʌrkət/
IPA guide

Other forms: microcircuits

A microcircuit is an extremely small device for conducting the flow of electricity. It's so small that you would probably have a hard time seeing the individual components if you were given a chip that uses them.

Microcircuits are also known as integrated circuits, and that's because they're usually incorporated into the design of the chip they're part of, instead of being installed afterwards. They are typically carved onto silicon or a similar material, which makes them smaller, more durable, and ultimately cheaper to produce at high volumes than wire ones. Microcircuits are an important part of many electronic devices, probably including whatever you're reading this on.

Definitions of microcircuit
  1. noun
    a microelectronic computer circuit incorporated into a chip or semiconductor; a whole system rather than a single component
    synonyms: integrated circuit
    see moresee less
    type of:
    computer circuit
    a circuit that is part of a computer
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