quantum computer

noun

: a computer that takes advantage of the quantum properties of qubits to perform certain types of calculation extremely quickly compared to conventional computers
quantum computing noun
A "geek at heart," Samet, 34, is fascinated by quantum computing, a still-emerging field that involves the behavior of subatomic particles in computing. Karen Breslau

Examples of quantum computer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Companies like Google, IBM, and D-Wave have successfully built scalable quantum computers with dozens of qubits, a crucial step toward practical applications. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 The bullish sentiment marks a change for Huang, who had previously indicated quantum computers could be put to real-life use in 15 to 20 years. Julie Coleman, CNBC, 11 June 2025 The advance will underpin its goal of building a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer, called Starling, that will be available to customers by 2029. IEEE Spectrum, 10 June 2025 In 1994, the mathematician Peter Shor devised an algorithm that would let quantum computers factor big numbers exponentially faster than classical machines. Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for quantum computer

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quantum computer was in 1982

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Cite this Entry

“Quantum computer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantum%20computer. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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