noun Uncommon

byte

BYTE

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Byte (noun) means a unit of computer storage equal to eight bits, able to represent 256 different values. Example: “A single character of plain text often takes up one byte.”

noun

technical A unit of computer storage equal to eight bits, able to represent 256 different values.

"A single character of plain text often takes up one byte."

"The file was only a few hundred bytes long."

"Storage is measured in bytes, with larger units built on top of it."

technical A short group of bits that a computer handles together as one unit.

"Older machines could treat a different number of bits as one byte."

"The processor reads the data one byte at a time."

"Programmers sometimes work with an individual byte rather than a whole word."

How to use byte

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small unit of computer data, usually eight bits.

When to use it

It is a technical computing term but is familiar to most people through file sizes.

Memory tip

Byte sounds identical to bite and bight, so context tells you which one is meant.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

bit → bite →

Common pairings

a few bytes bytes of data one byte at a time

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “byte” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A single character of plain text often takes up one _____.

Etymology

Werner Buchholz coined it in 1956 during early design work on the IBM 7030 Stretch computer. It is an alteration of the word bite, respelled so nobody would mistake it for bit by accident.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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octet

Related words

eight octet octad ogdoad

Rhymes for byte

Whyte Forsyte leukocyte erythrocyte

See all rhymes for byte →

Frequently asked questions

How many bits are in a byte?

Most commonly a byte is eight bits, which can represent 256 different values.

Who invented the word byte?

Werner Buchholz coined it in 1956, while working on the early design of the IBM 7030 Stretch computer.

Why is byte spelled with a y?

Werner Buchholz changed the spelling of bite to byte so it could not easily be mistyped as bit.

What is the meaning of byte?

"byte" (noun) means a unit of computer storage equal to eight bits, able to represent 256 different values.

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