megabyte

[ meg-uh-bahyt ]

noun

, Computers.

1. 2 20 (1,048,576) bytes.
2. (loosely) one million bytes. : MB

megabyte

/ ˈmɛɡəˌbaɪt /

noun

1. See mega-
   computing 2 ²⁰or 1 048 576 bytes AbbreviationMBmbyte See also mega-

megabyte

/ mĕg′ə-bīt′ /

1. A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,048,576 bytes (1,024 kilobytes or 2 ²⁰ bytes).
2. One million bytes.

megabyte

1. A unit of computer information: one million bytes .

Word History and Origins

Origin of megabyte¹

First recorded in 1965–70; mega- + byte

Usage

In computer science and industry usage, the prefix mega– often does not have its standard scientific meaning of 1,000,000, but refers instead to the power of two closest to 1,000,000, which is 2 ²⁰, or 1,048,576. The calculation of data storage capacity (measured in bytes) is based on powers of two because of the binary nature of bits (1 byte is 8, or 2 ³, bits). Thus, a megabyte is 1,048,576 bytes, although it is also used less technically to refer to a million bytes. Other numerical prefixes are interpreted similarly. With data transmission rates (measured in bits per second), a bit is considered as a signal pulse, and calculations are generally based on powers of ten. Thus, a rate of one megabit per second is equal to one million bits per second. However, in certain technical contexts, megabit can also refer to 1,048,576 bits. Similarly, the prefix kilo– refers to 1,000 or 2 ¹⁰ (1,024); giga– to 1,000,000,000 (one billion) or 2 ³⁰ (1,073,741,824); and tera– to 1,000,000,000,000 (one trillion) or 2 ⁴⁰ (1,099,511,627,776).

Example Sentences

Scientists have already improved the speed of that drastically in the last few years, but our current speeds are about one megabyte per second, meaning writing 500 terabytes of data could take tens of years.

From Popular-Science

It covers up to 5,000 square feet with speeds up to 500 megabytes per second, and it can also connect to Alexa to act as a smart home hub.

From Popular-Science

The game's creator, Sid Meier, somehow packed a plausible simulator of human history into a three-megabyte file.

From The Daily Beast