computer

noun

com·​put·​er kəm-ˈpyü-tər How to pronounce computer (audio)
often attributive
: one that computes
specifically : a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data
using a computer to design 3-D models
computerdom noun
computerless adjective
computerlike adjective

Examples of computer in a Sentence

He works all day on a computer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To name a few: oil and lumber from Canada; produce, clothing, liquor and auto parts from Mexico; plastics, textiles and computer chips from China. Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025 George knows how to get under their skin, from breaking and eating into the food inventory to keeping the employees from working on the computer. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025 But researchers soon realized that any proof based on diagonalization would also apply to any world where every computer can consult the same oracle. Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025 So the media could be moist, could be more than rigid screens and computers and all that sort of thing. Hans-Ulrich Obrist, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for computer 

Word History

Etymology

see compute

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of computer was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near computer

Cite this Entry

“Computer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/computer. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

computer

noun
com·​put·​er -ˈpyüt-ər How to pronounce computer (audio)
: one that computes
especially : a programmable usually electronic machine that can store, get back again, and work with data

More from Merriam-Webster on computer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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