qubit

noun

qu·​bit ˈkyü-bət How to pronounce qubit (audio)
plural qubits
: a unit of computing information that is represented by a state of an atom or elementary particle (such as the spin) and can store multiple values at once due to the principles of quantum mechanics
And the most basic truth of quantum mechanics dictates that you cannot measure a qubit without destroying the superposition. The register that said 1 and 0 will randomly collapse into 1 or 0.George Johnson
compare bit entry 3 sense 1

Examples of qubit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The physical qubits that make up each virtual qubit are like those oblivious quantum spies. Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 17 Mar. 2024 This essentially lets each qubit perform two calculations at once. Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024 As more qubits are added to a quantum computer, its computational power grows exponentiall The effort had been mind-bogglingly huge. Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024 Since each physical qubit encodes no information, errors in single qubits won’t ruin a computation. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 Functioning with quantum bits (qubits), distinct from conventional bits, quantum AI leverages the unique capability of existing in multiple states concurrently, leading to exponential amplifications in processing power. Sunny Pokala, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 By hovering between the two states, qubits enable quantum computers to perform certain tasks much faster than classical computers. Kelsey Houston-Edwards, Scientific American, 16 Jan. 2024 That means the extra qubits required by Regev’s algorithm could be a major drawback. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2023 By contrast, spin qubits only couple to magnetic fields, not electric ones—providing yet another challenge for a practical spin qubit quantum computer. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'qubit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

qu- (in quantum entry 2) + bit entry 4, probably formed with punning allusion to cubit

Note: According to the American physicist Benjamin Schumacher, in the acknowledgements to a paper ("Quantum coding," Physical Review A, vol. 51, issue 4 [April, 1995], p. 2747), "The term 'qubit' was coined in jest during one of the author's many intriguing and valuable conversations with W. K. Wootters, and became the initial impetus for this work."

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of qubit was in 1994

Dictionary Entries Near qubit

Cite this Entry

“Qubit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/qubit. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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