mainframe

American  

[meyn-freym] / ˈmeɪnˌfreɪm /

noun

Computers.

1. a large computer, often the hub of a system serving many users.

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mainframe British  

/ ˈmeɪnˌfreɪm /

noun

1. 1. a high-speed general-purpose computer, usually with a large storage capacity

   2. ( as modifier )

      mainframe systems

2. the central processing unit of a computer

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mainframe Scientific  

/ mān′frām′ /

1. A large, often powerful computer, usually dedicated to lengthy, complex calculations or set up for use by many people simultaneously.

2. Compare personal computer

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mainframe Cultural  

1. A large, powerful computer system. A mainframe computer typically carries out complex calculations and is shared by many users. (Compare personal computer.)

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Etymology

Origin of mainframe

First recorded in 1960–65; main ¹ + frame

Compare meaning

How does mainframe compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mainframe vs. supercomputer

Example Sentences

She went to her computer and wrote some code, walked a set of punch cards to the mainframe in another building, and waited while it slugged through the calculations.

From Literature

“Software and mainframe performance supported strong results for what many consider a defensive name,” said JPMorgan analyst Brian Essex, who rates the stock a neutral.

From MarketWatch

Cornell was an early adopter of mainframes and his professor mentors were moving from punch cards to mainframe batch processing.

From The Wall Street Journal

The technology can also help companies access data stuck in old-school IT systems like mainframe computers, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Back then, IBM certainly wouldn’t have hired weird longish-haired geeks like Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who were working with chintzy little microprocessors that paled in comparison with IBM’s mighty mainframes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• PC
• data processor
• desktop computer
• personal computer