central processing unit

noun

plural central processing units

: 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 : cpu

Examples of central processing unit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Accelerators are just one component of AI compute systems, which also include central processing units (CPUs), networking equipment for transmitting data, and memory and storage systems for retaining data. — Kevin Stankiewicz,jeff Marks, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

The funding will help CAEPlus develop BoundaryCool, a system that pulls heat away from graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), and tensor processing units (TPUs) using active liquid cooling. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026

And those signals travel to some central processing units so that the animal knows to like move away. — Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for central processing unit

• lunate
• multiunit
• subunit

Kids Definition

central processing unit

noun

: CPU