Thermistor vs. Varistor — What's the Difference?

A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance is strongly dependent on temperature, more so than in standard resistors. The word is a combination of thermal and resistor.

A varistor is an electronic component with an electrical resistance that varies with the applied voltage. Also known as a voltage-dependent resistor (VDR), it has a nonlinear, non-ohmic current–voltage characteristic that is similar to that of a diode.

A resistor made of semiconductors having resistance that varies rapidly and predictably with temperature.

(electronics) An electronic component having a variable resistance; used to protect circuits against power surges.

(electronics) A resistor whose resistance varies rapidly and predictably with temperature and as a result can be used to measure temperature.

A semiconductor device made of materials whose resistance varies as a function of temperature; can be used to compensate for temperature variation in other components of a circuit