complementary metal oxide semiconductor

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
CMOS

   <integrated circuit> (CMOS) A {semiconductor} fabrication
   technology using a combination of n- and p-doped semiconductor
   material to achieve low {power dissipation}.  Any path through
   a {gate} through which {current} can flow includes both n and
   p type {transistors}.  Only one type is turned on in any
   {stable state} so there is no {static power dissipation} and
   current only flows when a gate switches in order to charge the
   {parasitic capacitance}.

   (1999-06-04)