mainframe
Americannoun
noun
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a high-speed general-purpose computer, usually with a large storage capacity
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( as modifier )
mainframe systems
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the central processing unit of a computer
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A large, often powerful computer, usually dedicated to lengthy, complex calculations or set up for use by many people simultaneously.
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Compare personal computer
Etymology
Origin of mainframe
Compare meaning
How does mainframe compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Vocabulary lists containing mainframe
Computer Science and Technology - Middle School
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Computer Science and Technology - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It was a shot to the heart and the chest and the mainframe with Luka,” James told reporters.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
In February, IBM stock posted its worst decline in 25 years—tumbling sharply on news that Anthropic had released AI tools that could help with modernizing Cobol, a programming language mainly run on IBM mainframe computers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
“But the COBOL-based mainframe remains deeply embedded in large enterprises.”
From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026
In his view, although alternatives have been available for decades, clients are sticking with mainframe for a host of reasons: reliability and speed advantages, better cost efficiency at scale, and security such as quantum-safe encryption.
From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026
Dozens of terminals could be built, all linked to the mainframe by a telephone line, and everyone could be working—online—all at once.
From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
