CPU

abbreviation or noun

ˌsē-(ˌ)pē-ˈyü 

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

The British semiconductor and software design firm revealed its first-ever internal chip, the AGI CPU, at an event in San Francisco on Tuesday. —Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026

The chip, dubbed the Arm AGI CPU, will be specifically designed for AI workloads in data centers, and is being co-developed with Meta. —Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026

After testing the 2025 MacBook Pro with Apple's M5 CPU, here's my in-depth, side-by-side comparison with last year's M4 MacBook on performance, features, and value. —PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026

The machine comes with 8 gigabytes of memory, or RAM, a 6 core CPU, or main processor, and 5 core GPU, or graphics component, with no upgrades available. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

central processing unit

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cpu

noun

ˌsē-ˌpē-ˈyü 

often capitalized C&P&U

: the part of a computer that does most of the data processing

Etymology

central processing unit