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

Etymology

Origin of computer

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

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

The printer and computer maker on Wednesday reported a profit of $661 million, or 71 cents a share, down from $763 million, or 80 cents a share, a year earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Anthropic, the OpenAI rival that bet everything on computer coding, is expected to go public within weeks in a listing that could eclipse SpaceX's record Wall Street debut in June.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

However, the computer weather models that drive weather apps will always struggle to pinpoint exactly where and when the biggest storms will spring up.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

But Freeman would have to be in front of a computer to track the subsequent rounds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

I took a deep breath and closed my computer, resolved to avoid thinking about it until tomorrow.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

HP has been lifting pricing on its computers to address a run-up in memory chip prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Humans mostly shop at Acme, too, with Green slapping its logo on normal cellphones, computers and, yikes, government missiles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

Bitcoin mining companies invested large sums on giant banks of powerful computers as the price of Bitcoin rocketed in recent years.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

After all, people have been scared to let managers see anything non-work-related on their screens since personal computers first arrived in offices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Trip jogged over to the line of computers.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• PC
• data processor
• desktop computer
• personal computer