Moore's law

[moorz law]

noun

Computers.

1. the principle of exponential growth, both observed and projected, in the density of semiconductors and digital processors: describes the doubling of the number of components in an integrated circuit approximately every two years.

Moore's law

1. The observation that steady technological improvements in miniaturization leads to a doubling of the density of transistors on new integrated circuits every 18 months. In the mid-1960s, Gordon Moore (born 1929), one of the founders of Intel Corporation, observed that the density of transistors had been doubling every year, although the pace slowed slightly in the following years. The 18-month pattern held true into the 21st century, though as technology approaches the point where circuits are only a few atoms wide, new technologies, possibly not involving transistors at all, may be required for further miniaturization.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Moore's law¹

First recorded in 1965–70; named after U.S. businessman, engineer, and microchip manufacturer Gordon E. Moore (1929–2023)