tin whisker

noun

One of the thin, whisker-like protrusions that project out of tin surfaces (especially found on electroplated tin), which are crystalline and electrically conductive.

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whisker
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Meanings

nountin whisker (plural tin whiskers)

plural tin whiskers

  1. One of the thin, whisker-like protrusions that project out of tin surfaces (especially found on electroplated tin), which are crystalline and electrically conductive.
  2. broadlyThe same phenomenon found with other metals with low melting points.

    Synonyms: whisker

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe same phenomenon found with other metals with low melting points.

Similar
whisker

Origin

From tin + whisker, from being first observed with tin alloys.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

tin whisker. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tin%20whisker

MLA

“tin whisker.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tin%20whisker. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “tin whisker,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tin%20whisker.

Source: tin whisker on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.