Zener, n.²

zener
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zener_n2%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# Zenernoun2

## Factsheet

### What does the noun Zener mean?

There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun Zener. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How is the noun Zener pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈziːnə/
ZEE-nuh
/ˈzɛnə/
ZEN-uh

#### U.S. English

/ˈzinər/
ZEE-nuhr
/ˈzɛnər/
ZEN-uhr

### Where does the noun Zener come from?

Earliest known use

1940s

The earliest known use of the noun Zener is in the 1940s.

OED's earliest evidence for Zener is from 1949, in Journal Acoustical Society of Amer.

From a proper name.

Etymons: proper name Zener.

### Nearby entries

1. Zend-Avestaic, adj. 1816
2. Zend-Avestan, adj. & n. 1871–
3. Zend-Avestic, adj. 1864–
4. Zendic, n. & adj. 1771–
5. Zendician, n. a1833–66
6. Zendicism, n. 1697–
7. Zendish, adj. & n. 1802–1921
8. Zendist, n. 1877–1907
9. zendo, n. 1914–
10. Zener, n.¹ 1934–
11. Zener, n.²1949–
12. Zengakuren, n. 1950–
13. Zen garden, n. 1937–
14. zenick, n. 1801–1900
15. zenitfer, n. 1596–
16. zenith, n. & adj. a1387–
17. zenithal, adj.?1731–
18. zenithal projection, n. 1877–
19. zenith-borne, adj. 1865–86
20. zenith distance, n. 1588–
21. zenith line, n. 1585–

## Etymology

### Summary

From a proper name.
Etymon: proper name Zener.
< the name of Clarence Melvin Zener (1905–93), U.S. physicist.

## Meaning & use

Electronics.

1. I.
   Compounds.
   1. I.1.
      1949–
      Zener effect noun
      [Originally after Italian effetto Zener (1948 in the paper referred to in quot. 1949).]
      The reduction in electrical resistance across the p–n junction of a semiconductor diode under a reverse voltage that occurs as a result of the quantum tunnelling of valence electrons to the conduction band, allowing substantial current to flow in the reverse direction.
      The Zener effect occurs at a well-defined voltage threshold. This is in contrast with the Avalanche effect, which takes place at a higher reverse voltage, with a less precipitous change in resistance.
      1. 1949

         > L'Effetto Zener nei Metalli (The Zener Effect in Metals).

         Journal Acoustical Society of Amer. vol. 21 447/2
      2. 1957

         > Internal field emission, often called Zener effect because of the early theoretical contributions made to the subject by C. Zener,..is analogous to field emission from metals.

         W. C. Dunlap, Introd. Semiconductors viii. 168
      3. 1962

         > Lower voltage units usually have negative temperature coefficients indicating the existence of Zener effect. In such devices the transition region is apparently too thin to allow appreciable carrier multiplication to take place and Zener breakdown occurs before the critical avalanche condition has been reached.

         J. H. Simpson & R. S. Richards, Physical Principles Junction Transistors iv. 69
      4. 2009

         > The rapid rise in current is due to the Zener effect.

         U.S. Patent 7,638,847 B1 3
      electronics
      1. Zener effect 1949–
         The reduction in electrical resistance across the p–n junction of a semiconductor diode under a reverse voltage that occurs as a result of the…
      2. Zener breakdown 1952–
         The reduction in electrical resistance across the p–n junction of a semiconductor diode under a reverse voltage that occurs as a result of the…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. I.2.
      1952–
      Zener breakdown noun
      The reduction in electrical resistance across the p–n junction of a semiconductor diode under a reverse voltage that occurs as a result of the quantum tunnelling of valence electrons to the conduction band, allowing substantial current to flow in the reverse direction; = Zener effect n. at sense I.1.
      1. 1952

         > Actually observed is 2.2 × 105 volts/cm, indicating that in other systems Zener breakdown may be more likely than heretofore believed.

         J. Bragg et al. in Digest Lit. Dielectrics 1951 vol. 15 iii. 38
      2. 1981

         > As Vz [sc. the Zener voltage] decreases to very low levels, such as −5V, another mechanism, called Zener breakdown, will contribute to the sharp change in the characteristic.

         L. Nashelsky & R. L. Boylestad, Devices ii. 29
      3. 2010

         > Zener breakdown occurs only in very heavily doped junctions.

         P. R. Gray et al., Anal. & Design Analog Integrated Circuits (ed. 5) i. 8
      electronics
      1. Zener effect 1949–
         The reduction in electrical resistance across the p–n junction of a semiconductor diode under a reverse voltage that occurs as a result of the…
      2. Zener breakdown 1952–
         The reduction in electrical resistance across the p–n junction of a semiconductor diode under a reverse voltage that occurs as a result of the…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. I.3.
      1952–
      Zener voltage noun
      (In a Zener diode) the reverse voltage at which the Zener effect occurs and current begins to flow in the reverse direction.
      1. 1952

         > The Zener voltage for this junction was 21·5 volts.

         Proceedings IRE vol. 40 1349/2
      2. 1969

         > At Zener voltages of about 6V the slope resistance of the diode characteristic is minimal.

         J. J. Sparkes, Transistor Switching i. 13
      3. 1980

         > The Zener voltage..is a function of the resistivity (that is, of the doping) of the materials from which the diode is constructed.

         C. F. G. Delaney, Electronics for Physicist ix. 215
      4. 2008

         > When the voltage reaches the nominal Zener voltage, the diode current increases rapidly.

         I. Hickman in D. Ashby et al., Circuit Design ii. 215
      electronics
      1. breakdown voltage 1897–
         A voltage at which electrical breakdown occurs; cf. breakdown, n. 8.
      2. Zener voltage 1952–
         (In a Zener diode) the reverse voltage at which the Zener effect occurs and current begins to flow in the reverse direction.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   4. I.4.
      1952–
      Zener diode noun
      A type of semiconductor diode used for voltage regulation, in which, at a well-defined reverse voltage, the electrical resistance drops substantially, allowing a large current to flow in the reverse direction without a significant further increase in voltage.
      A Zener diode has a p–n junction that is doped in such a way as to maximize the Zener effect.
      1. 1952

         > Zener diodes is the name applied to p-n junctions which exhibit such [sc. field-generated] currents.

         Proceedings IRE vol. 40 1311/1
      2. 1957

         > One of the simplest methods of obtaining such a [stable collector-voltage] supply is with the aid of a diode biased into breakdown in the reverse direction (so-called Zener diode).

         R. F. Shea et al., Transistor Circuit Engineering iii. 62
      3. 1975

         > Stabilisation of the feedback input stages is achieved with a zener diode.

         Gramophone August 384/3
      4. 1981

         > In the forward direction a Zener diode behaves like any other diode.

         J. C. Sprott, Introduction to Modern Electronics vi. 136
      5. 2011

         > Zener diodes are used to regulate the output of power supply circuits.

         O. Bishop, Electronics: First Course (ed. 3) 74/1
      electronics
      1. crystal rectifier 1907–
         A crystal diode used as a rectifier.
      2. diode 1919–
         a. A thermionic valve of the simplest kind with just two electrodes, a cathode or ‘filament’ and an anode or ‘plate’. b. semiconductor diode, n.; cf…
      3. varistor 1937–
         A semiconductor diode whose electrical resistance varies non-linearly with the applied voltage.
      4. photodiode 1945–
         A semiconductor diode which generates a potential difference when illuminated, or whose electrical resistance depends on the degree of illumination.
      5. crystal diode 1946–
         A semiconductor diode, esp. one comprising a semiconductor crystal with which a thin metal wire is in point contact; also called crystal rectifier.
      6. junction rectifier 1951–
         = junction diode, n.
      7. junction diode 1952–
         A diode consisting essentially of a piece of semiconductor containing a rectifying p-n junction.
      8. Zener diode 1952–
         A type of semiconductor diode used for voltage regulation, in which, at a well-defined reverse voltage, the electrical resistance drops…
      9. Shockley diode 1958–
         A semiconductor diode consisting of four consecutive regions of alternate conductivity types (n-type and p-type), with a terminal at each end.
      10. Zener 1958–
          A Zener diode.
      11. tunnel diode 1959–
          A two-terminal semiconductor device, consisting of a heavily doped p–n junction, which has negative resistance at low voltage due to…
      12. light-emitting diode 1962–
          A semiconductor diode that emits light when a current flows through it; abbreviated LED.
      13. LED 1968–
          A light-emitting diode: a semiconductor diode that emits light when a voltage is suitably applied.
      14. Schottky diode 1968–
          Used attributively. A solid-state diode having a metal-semiconductor junction, used in fast switching and voltage-clamping applications.
      15. OLED 1996–
          A light-emitting diode containing thin flexible sheets of an organic electroluminescent material, used for electronic visual displays.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. II.
   Simple uses.
   1. II.5.
      1958–
      A Zener diode.
      1. 1958

         > Zeners are often placed in series for higher voltage operation.

         Electronic Design 23 July 30/2
      2. 1976

         > To provide any given voltage, it is only necessary to select a Zener having a voltage exceeding the required voltage by 0·7 volts.

         Pract. Electronics October 791/1
      3. 2012

         > One zener alone would not offer the required level of reliability.

         P. Wilson, Circuit Designer's Companion (ed. 3) ix. 388
      electronics
      1. crystal rectifier 1907–
         A crystal diode used as a rectifier.
      2. diode 1919–
         a. A thermionic valve of the simplest kind with just two electrodes, a cathode or ‘filament’ and an anode or ‘plate’. b. semiconductor diode, n.; cf…
      3. varistor 1937–
         A semiconductor diode whose electrical resistance varies non-linearly with the applied voltage.
      4. photodiode 1945–
         A semiconductor diode which generates a potential difference when illuminated, or whose electrical resistance depends on the degree of illumination.
      5. crystal diode 1946–
         A semiconductor diode, esp. one comprising a semiconductor crystal with which a thin metal wire is in point contact; also called crystal rectifier.
      6. junction rectifier 1951–
         = junction diode, n.
      7. junction diode 1952–
         A diode consisting essentially of a piece of semiconductor containing a rectifying p-n junction.
      8. Zener diode 1952–
         A type of semiconductor diode used for voltage regulation, in which, at a well-defined reverse voltage, the electrical resistance drops…
      9. Shockley diode 1958–
         A semiconductor diode consisting of four consecutive regions of alternate conductivity types (n-type and p-type), with a terminal at each end.
      10. Zener 1958–
          A Zener diode.
      11. tunnel diode 1959–
          A two-terminal semiconductor device, consisting of a heavily doped p–n junction, which has negative resistance at low voltage due to…
      12. light-emitting diode 1962–
          A semiconductor diode that emits light when a current flows through it; abbreviated LED.
      13. LED 1968–
          A light-emitting diode: a semiconductor diode that emits light when a voltage is suitably applied.
      14. Schottky diode 1968–
          Used attributively. A solid-state diode having a metal-semiconductor junction, used in fast switching and voltage-clamping applications.
      15. OLED 1996–
          A light-emitting diode containing thin flexible sheets of an organic electroluminescent material, used for electronic visual displays.
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈziːnə/
ZEE-nuh
/ˈzɛnə/
ZEN-uh

### U.S. English

/ˈzinər/
ZEE-nuhr
/ˈzɛnər/
ZEN-uhr

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

Also with lower-case initial.

Originally published as part of the entry for Zener, n.¹

Zener, n.² was revised in June 2018.

Zener, n.² was last modified in July 2023.