personal computer

American  

noun

1. a compact computer that uses a microprocessor and is designed for individual use, as by a person in an office or at home or school, for such applications as word processing, data management, financial analysis, or computer games. PC

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personal computer British  

noun

1. a small inexpensive computer used in word processing, playing computer games, etc

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personal computer Scientific  

/ pûr′sə-nəl /

1. A computer built around a microprocessor for use by an individual. Personal computers have their own operating systems, software, and peripherals, and can generally be linked to networks.

2. Compare mainframe

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personal computer Cultural  

1. A computer typically used in the home, office, or school. Also a generic term for a PC Microsoft® operating system.

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Etymology

Origin of personal computer

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

personal computer

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg called Monday for lower barriers for open source AI, as his company introduced a new model that can run on a personal computer.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

Laptop chipmakers such as Intel and AMD should be worried about their new rival Nvidia, experts say, after the US hardware titan announced Monday a push into the personal computer market.

From Barron's ● Jun. 1, 2026

The steam engine, assembly line and personal computer displaced jobs while giving life to industries no committee could foresee.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026

The idea of artificial intelligence, let alone a personal computer, was a fantasy at best.

From Salon ● Mar. 26, 2026

At university, he had been brilliant with electronics, he fixed CD players that were considered lost causes, and his was the first personal computer Obinze had ever seen.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• desktop computer
• laptop
• minicomputer
• workstation