logic gate

1 4.1

A small electronic circuit that gives one signal from several inputs using a simple rule

noun
/ˈlɒdʒɪk ɡeɪt/

Specialized

: puerta lógica

A computer processor uses multiple logic gates to perform calculations efficiently.
quantum logic gate

We need some kind of clause or some kind of logic gate.

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Examples

A natural way to couple circuit-based qubits to build logic gates is to use capacitors and inductors.

Academic text (2005)
That afternoon, I had been admiring the microprocessor that Nokia had developed, incorporating almost a thousand quantum logic gates.

Fiction book (1999)
I can try to upgrade the logic gate matrix, and then run the signal through the virtual machine.

Independents' Day (2017)
It also included the logic gate, which is so important to computers today.

Blog text (18)
Logic gates and error correction schemes have already been built and run.

Academic text (2005)
Other logic gates are OR, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR, and NOT.

Blog text (11)
Intel, Samsung, and other chipmakers already integrate tens of millions of logic gates on dime-sized wafers of silicon.

Academic text (2006)
In digital circuits, logic gates control the flow of electrical signals based on binary inputs.
Understanding how logic gates work is essential for anyone studying computer engineering.

Synonyms

gate

vslogic gate

Specialized

3 7.9

An electronic part that gives one result from input signals

requires at least two inputs and defines output by a specific logic function

AND gate

vslogic gate

Specialized

1 3.4

A circuit that gives an output only when all inputs are on

is the general circuit term covering various specific logical functions

NAND gate

vslogic gate

Specialized

1 3.9

An electronic part that outputs true unless all inputs are true

is the general circuit label not limited to inverted outputs

OR gate

vslogic gate

Specialized

1 4.3

An electronic circuit that gives an output when any input is on

is the general circuit type that works from defined logical rules

AND circuit

vslogic gate

Specialized

1 4.7

An electronic circuit that sends a signal only when all inputs are on

is the broader name for circuits that implement different logic functions

logic element

vslogic gate

Specialized

1 6.3

A small electronic part that makes a simple choice, like an AND or OR gate

is the circuit form that combines inputs to implement that logical function

NAND circuit

vslogic gate

Specialized

1 5.1

An electronic device that gives an off signal only when all inputs are on

is the general circuit category that covers many logic functions beyond this inversion

OR circuit

vslogic gate

Specialized

3.6

A circuit that turns its output on when any input is on

is the broader label for circuits that follow specific logical tests

XOR gate

vslogic gate

Specialized

6.2

An electronic circuit that gives a signal when an odd number of inputs are on

is a specific function that depends on input differences rather than general logic

X-OR circuit

vslogic gate

Specialized

7.8

A circuit that sends a signal when two inputs are different

is the parity based function that uses input differences, not general logic

threshold gate

vslogic gate

Specialized

7.7

An electrical device that sends a signal when enough inputs are active

is the overall term for two or more input circuits using pure logical rules

Surface Forms

logic gate singular

logic gates plural

Morphology

logic + gate

The noun‑noun composition 'logic gate' transparently means a 'gate' (device) that implements 'logic' (logical functions), so a learner who knows 'logic' and 'gate' can infer it is a device/circuit performing logical operations or controlling logical signals. This straightforward compositional pattern is common cross‑linguistically and maps directly onto the technical definition.

Etymology

Logic gate uses logic, meaning a rule, and gate, meaning a door, as a picture: imagine a door that only opens when the right buttons are pressed. That's why the name means a small electronic device that gives an 'output' only when its 'inputs' meet the rule.