computer

American  

[kuhm-pyoo-ter] / kəmˈpju tər /

noun

• computers
  plural

1. 

   a programmable electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Mainframes, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones are some of the different types of computers.

2. a computer program or algorithm.

   A computer can write a pop tune, but there's no guarantee it will be a hit.

3. a person who computes; computist.

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computer British  

/ kəmˈpjuːtə /

noun

1. 1. a device, usually electronic, that processes data according to a set of instructions. The digital computer stores data in discrete units and performs arithmetical and logical operations at very high speed. The analog computer has no memory and is slower than the digital computer but has a continuous rather than a discrete input. The hybrid computer combines some of the advantages of digital and analog computers See also digital computer analog computer hybrid computer

   2. ( as modifier )

      computer technology

2. a person who computes or calculates

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computer Scientific  

/ kəm-pyo̅o̅′tər /

1. A programmable machine that performs high-speed processing of numbers, as well as of text, graphics, symbols, and sound. All computers contain a central processing unit that interprets and executes instructions; input devices, such as a keyboard and a mouse, through which data and commands enter the computer; memory that enables the computer to store programs and data; and output devices, such as printers and display screens, that show the results after the computer has processed data.

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computer Cultural  

1. An electronic device that stores and manipulates information. Unlike a calculator, it is able to store a program and retrieve information from its memory. Most computers today are digital, which means they perform operations with quantities represented electronically as digits.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• computerlike
  adjective
• noncomputer
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• computers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of computer

First recorded in 1640–50; compute + -er ¹; compare Middle French computeur

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Explanation

Unless you're living in a cave cut off from humanity, you've seen these electronic machines with a screen, keyboard, and brain that stores massive amounts of information. Computers are ubiquitous in offices, airports, schools...even caves cut off from humanity. Though computers are a thoroughly modern invention, the root word that gave them their name dates all the way back to Roman times. Tech geeks dreamed up computer by embellishing the English word compute, which means "to calculate." Compute, in turn, comes from Latin com-, "with" and putare, "to reckon." So, your computer is a device that helps you reckon — or think. It also comes in handy for email and every type of entertainment imaginable.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

computer computers

District officials took the unprecedented step of shutting down all district computer systems to limit the damage.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

A Russian drone zips across the computer screen, startling the commanders keeping watch over the battlefield via a live stream in their bunker.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

AI is surpassing human abilities in pursuits from mathematics to computer programming, while threatening to alter or even eradicate many jobs.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Apple’s computers are highly efficient, especially in how they use computer memory necessary to run models.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

He turned around to the computer and began to type in, How long do .

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Apple’s computers are highly efficient, especially in how they use computer memory necessary to run models.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

The Wall Street Journal reported that her cellphone, notebooks, personal computers and passport were among the items that were seized.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

I traipsed down corridors full of smart young people tapping away at their computers, seemingly doing things.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026

In real life it is a warehouse of expensive computers, a power line, a cooling plant and a cable.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026

That’s true of the computers in Tokyo, San Francisco, and Stockholm.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

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Related Words

• PC
• data processor
• desktop computer
• personal computer

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