microchip

Everyday

1. A microchip is a very small piece of material, usually silicon, carrying tiny electronic circuits that store information or do calculations inside computers, phones and other machines. tree →
2. A microchip is also a tiny chip, the size of a grain of rice, put under a pet's skin by a vet so a lost pet can be identified. tree →
3. To microchip a pet means to put this chip in. tree →

In the lessons

In computing lessons, microchips (also called integrated circuits or just chips) are the «brains» of devices: processors hold billions of tiny switches called transistors. In everyday life, bank cards, passports and pets have chips. In the UK it is the law to microchip dogs and cats. Phrases: «microchip a dog», «computer chip», «chip and PIN».

Examples

• A phone contains many microchips. tree →
• The vet microchipped our new puppy. tree →
• The lost cat was returned home because of her microchip. tree →
• Microchips are made from silicon, which comes from sand. tree →
• One microchip can hold billions of tiny switches. tree →
• My bank card has a microchip in it. tree →
• Making microchips needs super-clean factories. tree →

Note

Plural «microchips». The verb doubles p: microchipped, microchipping. Often shortened to «chip». Myth: a pet microchip is not a GPS tracker; it cannot show where the pet is, it only gives an ID number when scanned. «Micro» means very small.