: a flexible, general-purpose computer programming language that is derived from C (see c entry 1 sense 8) but that includes some features not found in C (such as capabilities for object-oriented programming) and that is used for writing large or complex programs that would be difficult to write in C

Examples of C++ in a Sentence

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Visual Studio comes with an extensive suite of tools to develop applications in C#, C++, Python, JavaScript, and more. PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025 Its syntactical restrictions meant the compiler (which translates the syntax to machine-readable instructions) is only 1 kilobyte, compared to C++ compilers, which were generally hundreds of kilobytes. IEEE Spectrum, 4 Sep. 2025 That same year, C++ launched, Nintendo came out, and Michael Dell founded his PC company. L. David Marquet, Big Think, 18 Aug. 2025 The group writes its malware in relatively unsophisticated scripting languages like VBScript and Powershell rather than the C++ used by savvier hackers. Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 14 Apr. 2025 Many legacy systems in financial institutions rely on COBOL, Java or C++, and Rust’s FFI (foreign function interface) support enables gradual migration without requiring a complete overhaul. Amandeep Midha, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of C++ was in 1985

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Cite this Entry

“C++.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/C%2B%2B. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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