mainframe
noun
main·frame
ˈmān-ˌfrām 
1
: a large, powerful computer that can handle many tasks concurrently and is usually used commercially
… the million-dollar mainframe computers that took up entire floors of corporate premises …—
John Derbyshire
John Derbyshire2
dated
: a computer with its cabinet and internal circuits especially when considered separately from any peripherals connected to the computer
Examples of mainframe in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So the mainframe players largely crumbled in the face of minicomputers, and the minicomputer industry was decimated by the PC.
—Forrester, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
The assessor explained that for decades, the Cook County agencies involved in preparing property tax bills have used a mainframe computer system that dates back to the 1980s.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
As a refresher, here’s the story so far: The ARPANET was a project started by the Defense Department’s Advanced Research Project Agency in 1969 to network different mainframe computers together across the country.
—ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025
In addition, the county spent $80 million on upkeep to the old mainframe and to watchdog the troubled Tyler contract, bringing the total taxpayer cost so far to $265 million for all three deals, the investigation found.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainframe
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Forrester, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
The assessor explained that for decades, the Cook County agencies involved in preparing property tax bills have used a mainframe computer system that dates back to the 1980s.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
As a refresher, here’s the story so far: The ARPANET was a project started by the Defense Department’s Advanced Research Project Agency in 1969 to network different mainframe computers together across the country.
—ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025
In addition, the county spent $80 million on upkeep to the old mainframe and to watchdog the troubled Tyler contract, bringing the total taxpayer cost so far to $265 million for all three deals, the investigation found.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainframe
Cite this Entry
“Mainframe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainframe. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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mainframe
noun
main·frame
ˈmān-ˌfrām
: a large fast computer that can do many jobs at once
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