CPU

abbreviation or noun

ˌsē-(ˌ)pē-ˈyü 

variants or less commonly cpu

plural CPUs also cpus

: 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

The speed at which the central processing unit (CPU) runs, measured in megahertz, is a good indicator of a computer's power …

—Brad Hill

These [gaming] consoles require operating systems and CPUs that are different from desktop computers.

—finance.yahoo.com

—often used before another noun

CPU speed/performance

called also central processing unit, processor

Examples of CPU in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

GoPro has fitted the camera with an improved Enduro 2 battery, which, coupled with the powerful GP3 CPU, enables the camera to record more than three hours of 4K video and more than five hours of HD video. —New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026

The attack indicates that a hacker saw a major opportunity in targeting CPU-Z and HWMonitor, which have been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times across other third-party sites. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026

There is an increasing number of players designing their own chips, from hyperscalers like Google to Arm, which used to provide the blueprint for certain semiconductors, coming to market with its own central processing unit, or CPU. —Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026

The chip, dubbed the Arm AGI CPU, will be specifically designed for AI workloads in data centers, and is being co-developed with Meta. —Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

central processing unit

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cpu

noun

ˌsē-ˌpē-ˈyü 

often capitalized C&P&U

: the part of a computer that does most of the data processing

Etymology

central processing unit