data processing

American  

[dey-tuh pros-es-ing, dat-uh, dah-tuh] / ˈdeɪ tə ˌprɒs ɛs ɪŋ, ˈdæt ə, ˈdɑ tə /

noun

1. processing of information, especially the handling of information by computers in accordance with strictly defined procedures and operations, as aggregation, sorting, analysis, or validation. DP

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data processing British  

noun

1. 1. a sequence of operations performed on data, esp by a computer, in order to extract information, reorder files, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a data-processing centre

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data processing Cultural  

1. Either the preparation of data for processing by a computer, or the storage and processing of raw data by the computer itself.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• data processor
  noun

Etymology

Origin of data processing

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

According to Dr. Ren, the technology could support faster computing systems, reduce energy consumption, and enable new methods for secure communications and advanced data processing.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

Samsung shipped initial samples of 12-layer HBM4E chips, boasting over 20% faster data processing and 30% greater capacity.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

The negative catalyst was a blog post from Anthropic, which highlighted a new Claude Code feature that automates the modernization of common business-oriented language, a programming language used for data processing.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

The problem is that people and businesses fail to distinguish between data processing and data analysis and visualization, says Prof Mark Whitehorn, emeritus professor of analytics at Dundee University.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

Electronic data processing machines brought otherwise unattainable power and efficiency to the research process.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly