central processing unit

American  

noun

Computers.

1. CPU.

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central processing unit British  

noun

1. CPU. the part of a computer that performs logical and arithmetical operations on the data as specified in the instructions

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central processing unit Scientific  

1. The part of a computer that interprets and carries out instructions provided by the software. It tests and manipulates data, and transfers information to and from other components, such as the working memory, disk drive, monitor, and keyboard. The central processing units of personal computers are generally implemented on a single chip, called a microprocessor.

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Etymology

Origin of central processing unit

First recorded in 1965–70

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

central processing unit

He lifted his ASP forecast for Samsung’s 64-gigabyte high-end specialized stick of computer memory from $1586 to $1805 by the fourth quarter of 2026, an increase justified by accelerating AI central processing unit demand.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026

Nvidia on Monday announced chips for PCs that combine a central processing unit with its coveted AI computing capabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026

Huang said that the platform’s Vera central processing unit and Rubin graphics processing unit were codesigned from the start for faster data sharing at lower latency, or delays in transferring data.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 6, 2026

Over the past few years, Intel has lost ground in both the personal-computer and server central processing unit markets, largely due to sub-par chips compared to similar offerings from AMD and Arm.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2025

Online ——— In this book, it signifies the act of being in direct communication with a remote computer's central processing unit.

From The Online World by Odd De Presno

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