CPU

abbreviation or noun

variants or less commonly cpu
plural CPUs also cpus
: the component of a computer system that performs the system's basic operations (such as processing data), that exchanges data with the system's memory or peripherals, and that manages the system's other components
The speed at which the central processing unit (CPU) runs, measured in megahertz, is a good indicator of a computer's power …Brad Hill
These [gaming] consoles require operating systems and CPUs that are different from desktop computers.finance.yahoo.com
often used before another noun
CPU speed/performance

called also central processing unit, processor

Examples of CPU in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One of Intel’s key efficiency improvements was getting rid of separate memory sticks or chips, baking it into the CPU package instead. Sean Hollister, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2024 These are all coordinated by a 64 MHz ARM CPU, which aggregates and processes all this data. Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2024 For years, engineers and attackers alike have been most focused on potential vulnerabilities in a computer's central processing unit (CPU) and have optimized for efficiency on GPUs, leaning on them for raw processing power. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 9 Aug. 2024 When run on systems without those graphics cards, the system’s CPU is used to create video recordings which may cause a noticeable performance impact on those systems. Jay Peters, The Verge, 26 June 2024 The Rubin platform will include new graphics processing units, or GPUs, a new central processing unit (CPU) called Vera, and advanced networking chips, Huang said. Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 10 June 2024 No Limits In practice, the utility of Loopy Pro is limited only by your imagination and the CPU power of your iPad. Pete Cottell, WIRED, 2 May 2024 Sony says these lower frequencies are rare and that unused power on the CPU side is sent to the GPU. Tom Warren, The Verge, 15 Apr. 2024 The benefits can be substantial, compared to running those workloads on a GPU or CPU. Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'CPU.' 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

central processing unit

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of CPU was in 1962

Dictionary Entries Near CPU

Cite this Entry

“CPU.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/CPU. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

often capitalized C&P&U
: the part of a computer that does most of the data processing
Etymology

central processing unit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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