mainframe

noun

main·​frame ˈmān-ˌfrām How to pronounce mainframe (audio)
1
: a large, powerful computer that can handle many tasks concurrently and is usually used commercially
… the million-dollar mainframe computers that took up entire floors of corporate premises …John Derbyshire
2
dated : a computer with its cabinet and internal circuits especially when considered separately from any peripherals connected to the computer

Examples of mainframe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Clients are looking forward to new mainframe computer in the first half of 2025, Kavanaugh told Mody. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024 Most notably, many organizations are still using mainframes as their core system. Balaji Ram, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Starting in early 2025, one company will keep the BMC name and focus on its longtime business selling mainframe computers (yes, those still exist) and business automation, which accounts for roughly two thirds of BMC’s $2.3 billion in revenue. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2024 In those days, users would log into computers that served as access points to larger, more powerful, centralized mainframe computers that handled the processing, users and access. Ofer Klein, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mainframe 

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of mainframe was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near mainframe

Cite this Entry

“Mainframe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainframe. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

mainframe

noun
main·​frame ˈmān-ˌfrām How to pronounce mainframe (audio)
: a large fast computer that can do many jobs at once

More from Merriam-Webster on mainframe

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