Diode vs. Transistor — What's the Difference?

A diode is a two-terminal electronic component that conducts current primarily in one direction (asymmetric conductance); it has low (ideally zero) resistance in one direction, and high (ideally infinite) resistance in the other. A diode vacuum tube or thermionic diode is a vacuum tube with two electrodes, a heated cathode and a plate, in which electrons can flow in only one direction, from cathode to plate.

A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. Transistors are one of the basic building blocks of modern electronics.

An electrical device, such as a semiconductor or electron tube, through which flow of current is generally restricted to one direction. Diodes are often used in or as rectifiers.

A semiconductor device with three connections, capable of amplification in addition to rectification.

(electronics) An electronic device that allows current to flow in one direction only; used chiefly as a rectifier.

A small electronic device containing a semiconductor and having at least three electrical contacts, used in a circuit as an amplifier, detector, or switch.

A thermionic tube having two electrodes; used as a rectifier

Any of various devices serving the same purpose but employing a different technology

A semiconductor that consists of a p-n junction

A transistor radio.

(semiconductors) A solid-state semiconductor device, with three terminals, which can be used for amplification, switching, voltage stabilization, signal modulation, and many other functions.

A transistor radio.

A component used in electronic devices consisting of three regions of at least two types of a semiconducting material, such as doped silicon, connected to each other and to three electrodes in a conducting path so as to modify the current or voltage in an electronic circuit.

A semiconductor device capable of amplification