digital computer
noun
: a computer that operates with numbers expressed directly as digits compare analog computer, hybrid computer
Examples of digital computer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The air force determined the nation should build a massive radar network tied to digital computers.
—
Marc Wortman, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2023
Today’s digital computers are based on extremely low connectivity (with the output of one transistor wired to the input of a handful of transistors), compared with that of central nervous systems (in which a cortical neuron receives inputs and makes outputs to tens of thousands of other neurons).
—Christof Koch, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2023
Tech is exceptional because digital computers and networks are universal, and universal things are interoperable, and interoperability lowers switching costs.
—Cory Doctorow, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023
Is there a bias—or perhaps a fear—against technology and digital computers in the arts?
—Jed Perl, The New York Review of Books, 1 June 2023
But the earliest all-electronic digital computers appeared less than a single lifetime ago, and until the 1970s, virtually all computers were room-size machines.
—Fred Turner, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023
Edmund Berkeley’s Simon was a simple and inexpensive digital computer that used electrical relays.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2023
At the time, Berkeley was establishing himself as a leading author, publisher, and consultant for the new world of digital computers.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2023
Soon versions of Conway’s game were running at scale on early digital computers, allowing easier explorations of the intricate patterns and complex behaviors that emerged.
—Shi En Kim, Scientific American, 6 Apr. 2023
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Marc Wortman, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2023
Today’s digital computers are based on extremely low connectivity (with the output of one transistor wired to the input of a handful of transistors), compared with that of central nervous systems (in which a cortical neuron receives inputs and makes outputs to tens of thousands of other neurons).
—Christof Koch, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2023
Tech is exceptional because digital computers and networks are universal, and universal things are interoperable, and interoperability lowers switching costs.
—Cory Doctorow, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023
Is there a bias—or perhaps a fear—against technology and digital computers in the arts?
—Jed Perl, The New York Review of Books, 1 June 2023
But the earliest all-electronic digital computers appeared less than a single lifetime ago, and until the 1970s, virtually all computers were room-size machines.
—Fred Turner, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023
Edmund Berkeley’s Simon was a simple and inexpensive digital computer that used electrical relays.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2023
At the time, Berkeley was establishing himself as a leading author, publisher, and consultant for the new world of digital computers.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2023
Soon versions of Conway’s game were running at scale on early digital computers, allowing easier explorations of the intricate patterns and complex behaviors that emerged.
—Shi En Kim, Scientific American, 6 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'digital computer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1946, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near digital computer
Cite this Entry
“Digital computer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digital%20computer. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
digital computer
noun
: a computer that operates with numbers expressed as digits (as in the binary system) compare analog computer
More from Merriam-Webster on digital computer
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about digital computer
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