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 measurements closely matched what the computer models had predicted.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

In that footage, shattered glass, empty shelves, cracked computer screens and scattered debris can be seen in the wake of the burglary.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

“There is urgency around it, because we’ve got to do the transition before a cryptographically relevant quantum computer is developed,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

But the standard ratio is near enough to its recent high that the computer analysis programs are not grading it as a buy signal.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

With more space to work, Camille turns her computer to face us.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

One thing the Federal Reserve could always count on to keep inflation low was falling prices for computers, cell phones and other high-tech stuff.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026

Businesses divided spending between internal efforts like hiring quantum talent and external efforts such as developing use cases with vendors and paying to experiment with quantum computers in the cloud.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

"But we aren't stopping here. We just spent a week talking about what will go into DR21 and DR22! We're going to need bigger computers!"

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

The company must also contribute $30 million to a state fund for broadband adoption, digital literacy, green technology and computers for low-income households.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

Clarence and Clement were checking their email on the built-in desktop tablet computers.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• PC
• data processor
• desktop computer
• personal computer