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noun Common

computing

kuhm-PYOO-tihng

Computing (noun) means the field or activity of using computers — programming, processing data, and building software and systems. Example: “She switched careers and went back to university to study computing.”

noun
1
The field or activity of using computers — programming, processing data, and building software and systems.
"She switched careers and went back to university to study computing."
"Advances in computing have made it possible to model weather patterns days in advance."

How to use computing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWorking with computers — whether that's the academic subject, the industry, or just the act of doing calculations.

Common pairings
cloud computing study computing computing power a computing degree

Word forms

computings plural

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She switched careers and went back to university to study _____.

Etymology

Formed from compute plus the suffix -ing, turning the verb into a noun describing the activity itself.

computation calculation data processing information technology reckoning

Related words

Rhymes for computing

See all rhymes for computing →

Frequently asked questions

What does “computing” mean?

The word “computing” means the field or activity of using computers — programming, processing data, and building software and systems. In plain terms, working with computers — whether that's the academic subject, the industry, or just the act of doing calculations.

How do you pronounce “computing”?

“Computing” is pronounced kuhm-PYOO-tihng (/kəmˈpjuːtɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “computing” in a sentence?

Here is “computing” used in a sentence: “She switched careers and went back to university to study computing.”

What is another word for “computing”?

Words with a similar meaning to “computing” include reckoning.

What part of speech is “computing”?

“Computing” is a noun.

Is “computing” a common word?

“Computing” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between computing and computer science?

Computer science is the academic discipline concerned with computation, algorithms, and the theory behind software. Computing is the broader field and activity of using computers, taking in programming, data processing, and building software and systems, as well as practical IT work. Computer science sits inside computing, but computing is wider.

What is the difference between computing and IT?

IT (information technology) usually refers to managing and supporting computer systems in organisations — networks, hardware, and services — while computing covers the whole activity of using computers, including programming and software development. In British schools, computing is also the name of the subject that includes programming.

What does computing power refer to?

Computing power, also called processing power, describes how much work a computer can perform and how quickly, often measured in operations per second. More computing power means demanding tasks such as video editing, gaming, and machine learning run faster.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial