computer

noun, often attributive

com·put·er | \ kəm-ˈpyü-tər

How to pronounce computer (audio)

\

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

Other Words from computer More Example Sentences Learn More about computer

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Other Words from computer

computerdom \ kəm-ˈpyü-tər-dəm

\ noun

computerless \ kəm-ˈpyü-tər-ləs

\ adjective

computerlike \ kəm-ˈpyü-tər-ˌlīk

\ adjective

Examples of computer in a Sentence

He works all day on a computer.

Recent Examples on the Web During the attack at Universal Health last fall, the company shut down computer systems for medical records, laboratories and pharmacies across 250 U.S. facilities. — Melanie Evans, WSJ, "Cyberattacks Cost Hospitals Millions During Covid-19," 26 Feb. 2021 Ransomware attacks on organizations, companies, and even hospitals have become increasingly common, and some institutions have decided that paying is the easiest way to get computer systems back up or prevent the release of confidential data. — Martin Enserink, Science | AAAS, "Dutch research funding agency, paralyzed by ransomware attack, refuses to pay up," 25 Feb. 2021 This is critical as ransomware will encrypt computer systems, lock tech leaders out of their own data and require a ransom for decryption. — Expert Panel®, Forbes, "16 Critical Things Every Business Leader Should Know About Ransomware," 25 Feb. 2021 Airlines also said that gathering the information from passengers would require costly upgrades to their computer systems. — Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, "U.S. Airlines to Begin Contact-Tracing Programs for International Travelers," 22 Feb. 2021 The preregistration step helps avoid waves of people trying to get appointments at the same time, which can crash computer systems, as Massachusetts experienced on Feb. 18. — Tinglong Dai, The Conversation, "How to really fix COVID-19 vaccine appointment scheduling," 22 Feb. 2021 The piece dives into the two federal computer systems that link vaccine factories with regional clinics that administer shots. — Robin Lloyd, Scientific American, "Coronavirus News Roundup, January 30-February 5," 5 Feb. 2021 The elite Russian hackers who gained access to computer systems of federal agencies last year didn't bother trying to break one by one into the networks of each department. — Eric Tucker, Chron, "Russian hack of US agencies exposed supply chain weaknesses," 25 Jan. 2021 The elite Russian hackers who gained access to computer systems of federal agencies last year didn't bother trying to break one by one into the networks of each department. — Eric Tucker, Star Tribune, "Russian hack of US agencies exposed supply chain weaknesses," 24 Jan. 2021

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.

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Dictionary Entries near computer

computed tomography

Statistics for computer

Last Updated

1 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Computer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/computer. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for computer

computer

noun

English Language Learners Definition of computer

: an electronic machine that can store and work with large amounts of information

See the full definition for computer in the English Language Learners Dictionary

computer

noun

com·put·er | \ kəm-ˈpyü-tər

\

Kids Definition of computer

: an automatic electronic machine that can store and process data

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