microcontroller

noun

mi·​cro·​con·​trol·​ler ˈmī-krō-kən-ˌtrō-lər How to pronounce microcontroller (audio)
plural microcontrollers
: an integrated circuit that contains a microprocessor along with memory and associated circuits and that controls some or all of the functions of an electronic device (such as a home appliance) or system

Examples of microcontroller in a Sentence

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Onboard CPUs and GPUs, reinforcement learning (RL), physics engines, proprioception, computer vision with real-time object recognition, SLAM navigation, IMUs with gyros and accelerometers, tactile sensors, microcontrollers, servos, and batteries good for hours of runtime – the list goes on. Joe Salas august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025 Access to programmable hardware was limited, with no access to microcontrollers or hardware manufacturing. IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2025 Albert Pro had three microcontroller unit processors (MCU processors), while Zoe Pro has just one; that helps make the system more compact and speeds up the machine’s ability to ingest and process information for the customer. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 8 Aug. 2025 These cores serve as microcontrollers and security processors, managing tasks like power, telemetry, and safety-critical logic, where lightweight, highly customizable architectures excel. Dave Altavilla, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for microcontroller

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of microcontroller was in 1971

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Cite this Entry

“Microcontroller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microcontroller. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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