analog computer
noun
: a computer that operates with numbers represented by directly measurable quantities (such as voltages or rotations) compare digital computer, hybrid computer
Examples of analog computer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bush, while on the faculty at MIT, designed and built a pioneering analog computer.
—
L. Rafael Reif, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2025
And the tide-predicting machine is an example of an early analog computer that was much more useful than Babbage’s difference engine but not nearly as well known.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2024
In collaborative research out of Japan and Switzerland, scientists have taken an important step towards a next generation of analog computers by creating new types of logic gates based on spin waves.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024
Goto says the researchers devoted much energy and effort developing their spin-wave waveguide, which would provides the foundation for analog logic gates and other essential components of any analog computer.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024
On the other hand, optical analog computers can also be bulky and vulnerable to imperfections in optical components, generating errors in the computation that can quickly snowball.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024
This is not the plot of Fail-Safe, where the rogue B-52 is dispatched by an analog computer glitch, and which the authors claimed to have conceived in 1957.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Old-school analog computers had used clunky patch cords on plug boards.
—Charles Platt, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2023
Dive bombing precision was assisted by a range of tools from markings on the cockpit canopy showing dive angle to sophisticated analog computers.
—David Hambling, Popular Mechanics, 7 June 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
L. Rafael Reif, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2025
And the tide-predicting machine is an example of an early analog computer that was much more useful than Babbage’s difference engine but not nearly as well known.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2024
In collaborative research out of Japan and Switzerland, scientists have taken an important step towards a next generation of analog computers by creating new types of logic gates based on spin waves.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024
Goto says the researchers devoted much energy and effort developing their spin-wave waveguide, which would provides the foundation for analog logic gates and other essential components of any analog computer.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024
On the other hand, optical analog computers can also be bulky and vulnerable to imperfections in optical components, generating errors in the computation that can quickly snowball.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024
This is not the plot of Fail-Safe, where the rogue B-52 is dispatched by an analog computer glitch, and which the authors claimed to have conceived in 1957.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Old-school analog computers had used clunky patch cords on plug boards.
—Charles Platt, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2023
Dive bombing precision was assisted by a range of tools from markings on the cockpit canopy showing dive angle to sophisticated analog computers.
—David Hambling, Popular Mechanics, 7 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Analog computer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analog%20computer. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share