central processing unit

noun

plural central processing units
: the component of a computer system that performs the system's basic operations (such as processing data), that exchanges data with the system's memory or peripherals, and that manages the system's other components : cpu

Examples of central processing unit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, Samsung says the device offers a 40% improvement in neural processing, as well as significant boosts for central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) . Thomas Westerholm, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 Intel’s manufacturing process has been a notch behind for years, leading to slower and less power-efficient central processing units, or CPUs. Ari Levy,kif Leswing, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024 Intel was once dominant in its core business for central processing units. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2024 The legacy part of AMD’s data center business — sales of traditional central processing units in servers — had a good quarter, too. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for central processing unit 

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of central processing unit was in 1956

Dictionary Entries Near central processing unit

Cite this Entry

“Central processing unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/central%20processing%20unit. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

central processing unit

noun
: CPU

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