processor

noun

pro·​ces·​sor ˈprä-ˌse-sər How to pronounce processor (audio)
ˈprō-
1
: one that processes
scrap processor
agricultural processor
2
a(1)
(2)
: a component of a computer that processes data
specifically : cpu
b
: a computer program (such as a compiler) that puts another program into a form acceptable to the computer
3

Examples of processor in a Sentence

the largest seafood processor in the country
Recent Examples on the Web As an eight-core and 16-thread chip, the AMD Z1 Extreme a fine example of how far mobile processors have come. PCMAG, 18 Sep. 2023 Go back far enough—to, say, the distant processors of the ores that become the minerals that become their computer chips or face creams or coffee cups—and companies claim not to even know who to call upon to clean up their act. WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023 According to the agency, the option to pay for transit fare directly with a physical card or smart device was considered after numerous workshops with key stakeholders from the transit agencies, fare vendors and payment processor. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023 The new flagship iPhones that Apple is set to unveil this week will feature speedier processors, more sophisticated cameras and titanium rather than stainless steel cases, according to supply chain analysts. Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2023 The 7-cup processor uses low and high speeds, but also a pulse function for crushing nuts or blending dough. Lily Gray, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2023 Fortune Chip bottlenecks Supply constraints on A.I. processors will ease in about 18 months, predicts Mark Liu, chairman of leading chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Alan Murray, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2023 Gen Core i9 processors with the latest Windows 11 and Windows 10 updates. Tom Warren, The Verge, 6 Sep. 2023 According to private payroll processor ADP, US employers hired 455,000 new workers in June. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 4 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'processor.' 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

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of processor was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near processor

Cite this Entry

“Processor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/processor. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

processor

noun
pro·​ces·​sor ˈpräs-ˌes-ər How to pronounce processor (audio)
ˈprōs-
1
: a person or machine that processes
2
: a part of a computer that processes data
especially : cpu

More from Merriam-Webster on processor

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