From GAWDAwiki
A semiconductor is a material that behaves in between a conductor and an insulator. At ambient temperature, it conducts electricity more easily than an insulator, but less readily than a conductor. At very low temperatures, pure or intrinsic semiconductors behave like insulators. At higher temperatures or under light, intrinsic semiconductors can become conductive. The addition of impurities to a pure semiconductor can also increase its conductivity. Examples of semiconductors include chemical elements and compounds such as silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide.[1]
References
- http://www.siliconfareast.com/whatissemicon.htm