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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Maybe most importantly, unlike the central processing unit (CPU) and GPU, NPUs do not detract from the user experience on the device. Elise London, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 The chip’s central processing unit, or CPU, has 10 cores — a measure of computing power — up from eight in the M3 MacBook Air. Bloomberg News, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025 Mark Stanley of New Mexico Tech installs the central processing unit for a new interferometer near Säntis Tower. IEEE Spectrum, 11 July 2019 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 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

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Cite this Entry

“Central processing unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/central%20processing%20unit. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

central processing unit

noun
: CPU

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