computer

play

noun, often attributive com·put·er \kəm-ˈpyü-tər\

Definition of computer

: one that computes; specifically : a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data using a computer to design 3-D models

computerdom

play \kəm-ˈpyü-tər-dəm\ noun

computerless

play \kəm-ˈpyü-tər-ləs\ adjective

computerlike

play \kəm-ˈpyü-tər-ˌlīk\ adjective

See computer defined for English-language learners

See computer defined for kids

Examples of computer in a Sentence

He works all day on a computer.

Recent Examples of computer from the Web

FILE - In this May 15, 2017 file photo, journalists work on laptop computers at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) as Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a statement at the end of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.

— Washington Post, "China clamping down on use of VPNs to evade Great Firewall," 20 July 2017
Teen Summer Reading grand prize giveaways includes a tablet computer, U of L football tickets and gift cards to Barnes & Noble.

— gege reed, The Courier-Journal, "19 kid-friendly activities in Louisville July 20-26," 19 July 2017
ThoughtSTEM conducts other K-12 computer science camps across San Diego County all year.

— darnell carson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "ThoughtSTEM at Fleet Science Center teaches youth programming," 19 July 2017
Until Wednesday, the acting president position had been filled by Edward Kremer, dean of math, science and computer technology at the college.

— mará rose williams, kansascity, "KCK community college names second acting president in less than a week," 19 July 2017
To participate, people sign on from the comfort of the computer in their homes or businesses on to the Zoom link.

— marvin glassman, Jewish Journal, "Miami temple offers virtual minyan service," 19 July 2017
During the past few years, as the iPhone and iPad began to dominate the market, most people who walked in the door at MacLife in Downtown Boise were there for iPhone repair and accessories, which had a much lower price than a new computer.

— audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "The iPhone took over, and a Downtown Boise store closed," 14 July 2017
A computer program then tracked the coordinates and wing movements of each fly in the dish.

— ryan cross, Science | AAAS, "Artificial intelligence helps scientists map behavior in the fruit fly brain," 13 July 2017
Sometimes Netflix series feel like a computer algorithm combined every popular show on the streaming service into one—in this case, Breaking Bad, Arrested Development, and Narcos.

— matt miller, Esquire, "We're Ready for an Evil Michael Bluth in Jason Bateman's New Show Ozark," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'computer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.