Chip
/tʃɪp/
Definitions
3 meaningsA small, usually thin, piece broken off something.
/tʃɪp/
A small piece of something
There was a chip in my paint.
💡 Simply: Imagine breaking a cracker; the small broken piece is a chip. Like a tiny, crunchy bit!
👶 For kids: A little piece that breaks off.
More Examples
I ate a potato chip.
How It's Used
"He ate a chip of chocolate."
"A tiny chip of wood flew off the plane."
A small piece of semiconductor material containing a large number of transistors and other electronic components.
/tʃɪp/
Integrated circuit
The new phone has a powerful chip.
💡 Simply: It's like a tiny computer brain inside your phone or computer. Lots of tiny parts make it work!
👶 For kids: A tiny part inside a computer.
More Examples
The computer chip is very small.
How It's Used
"The computer's microchip malfunctioned."
To break off a small piece; to become damaged with a small break or imperfection.
/tʃɪp/
To become damaged with a small break or imperfection
The cup chipped when it fell.
💡 Simply: When something gets a little crack or breaks off a small piece, it's chipped, like a broken piece of nail polish.
👶 For kids: To break a little bit.
More Examples
The paint chipped on the door.
How It's Used
"The paint chipped on the corner of the wall."
Idioms & expressions
on the chip
In a gambling situation, typically in reference to being in a betting round.
"He went all-in on the chip."
From Middle English *chippen, from Old English *cippan "to cut into small pieces". The word's evolution reflects its various meanings, from a small piece of something to a microchip.
The word 'chip' has been used in its various forms for centuries, reflecting its wide-ranging applications, from carpentry to modern electronics.
Memory tip
Think of a potato chip—a small, thin piece.
Word Origin
"to cut into small pieces"