computer

noun

com·​put·​er kəm-ˈpyü-tər 

often attributive

: 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

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

Overnight, long-range computer models continued to consolidate on a track for Erin that includes a northern turn, meaning that fewer and fewer of the predictions includes a stray track that runs over Florida. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025

Hinton, a Nobel Prize-winning computer scientist and a former Google executive, has warned in the past that there is a 10% to 20% chance that AI wipes out humans. —Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025

With the mechanical keyboard design, depressing the key activates a switch that sends a signal to the computer. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025

After the shooting, Hughes disposed of the rifle, wiped his computer history and tried to blame the killing on his girlfriend’s ex-husband, prosecutors said. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see compute

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing computer

• analog computer
• computer science
• digital computer
• home computer
• hybrid computer
• personal computer
• pre-computer
• quantum computer
• tablet computer

Rhymes for computer

• commuter
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer
• supercomputer
• neuter
• pewter
• router
• scooter
• shooter
• suitor

Kids Definition

computer

noun

com·​put·​er -ˈpyüt-ər 

: one that computes

especially : a programmable usually electronic machine that can store, get back again, and work with data