computer
kuhm-PYOO-tuh
Computer (noun) means an electronic device that processes data, runs programs, and carries out calculations — from a desktop or laptop to the machine running behind a phone app. Example: “My old computer takes so long to start that I usually make tea while I wait.”
noun
1
An electronic device that processes data, runs programs, and carries out calculations — from a desktop or laptop to the machine running behind a phone app.
"My old computer takes so long to start that I usually make tea while I wait."
"She bought a new computer for editing video."
"The company's servers are just very powerful computers running around the clock."
2
(dated) A person whose job was to carry out mathematical calculations by hand, before machines took over the role.
"Long ago, a computer sat at a desk with pencils and paper and worked out sums all day."
"The observatory once employed several women as computers to work out the positions of stars."
"Before electronic computers existed, teams of human computers calculated ballistic tables for the military."
How to use computer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA machine that processes information and runs programs — though the word originally described a human calculator, not a device.
Memory tip
In modern English, "computer" almost always means the machine; the old sense (a person who calculates) is now historical.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
turn on the computer
computer program
laptop computer
computer science
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Word forms
- Plural
- computers
- Third person singular
- computers
- Past tense
- computered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My old _____ takes so long to start that I usually make tea while I wait.
Etymology
From compute + -er. Originally, from the 1600s, it meant a person who computes — the machine sense only took over around the end of the 19th century.
Class of 1600
computer joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
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PC
desktop
laptop
workstation
device
'puter
box
calculator
data processing machine
electronic brain
electronic computer
machine
Related words
Rhymes for computer
See all rhymes for computer →Frequently asked questions
What does “computer” mean?
The word “computer” means an electronic device that processes data, runs programs, and carries out calculations — from a desktop or laptop to the machine running behind a phone app. In plain terms, a machine that processes information and runs programs — though the word originally described a human calculator, not a device.
How do you pronounce “computer”?
“Computer” is pronounced kuhm-PYOO-tuh (/kəmˈpjutɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “computer” in a sentence?
Here is “computer” used in a sentence: “She bought a new computer for editing video.”
What is another word for “computer”?
Words with a similar meaning to “computer” include 'puter, box, calculator, data processing machine, electronic brain and electronic computer.
What part of speech is “computer”?
“Computer” is a noun.
Where does the word “computer” come from?
The word “computer” dates back to around 1600. From compute + -er. Originally, from the 1600s, it meant a person who computes — the machine sense only took over around the end of the 19th century.
Is “computer” a common word?
“Computer” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “computer” have?
“Computer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an electronic device that processes data, runs programs, and carries out calculations — from a desktop or laptop to the machine running behind a phone app.
What are the main types of computers?
Everyday types include desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones, all built around the same basic idea. Larger categories cover servers, which power websites and networks, and mainframes and supercomputers used by big organisations for heavy processing. Tiny embedded computers also run inside cars, appliances and countless other devices.
What is the difference between hardware and software?
Hardware is the physical part of a computer — the screen, keyboard, chips and drives you can touch. Software is the set of programs and instructions that tell the hardware what to do, from the operating system to individual apps. Hardware is the body; software is the thinking that drives it.
What are the main parts of a computer?
At its core, a computer has a processor (CPU) that does the calculations, memory (RAM) that holds data in use, and storage such as a drive or SSD that keeps files long term. Add input devices like a keyboard and mouse, and output devices like a screen, and you have a working system.
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