checksum

noun

check·​sum ˈchek-ˌsəm How to pronounce checksum (audio)
: a sum derived from the bits of a segment of computer data that is calculated before and after transmission or storage to assure that the data is free from errors or tampering

Examples of checksum in a Sentence

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.
This single-byte checksum can now be used to judge data integrity after transmission. Adrian Sampson, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Sep. 2013 Just compute the checksum again at the far end and compare it with the value that was sent. Adrian Sampson, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Sep. 2013 For example, one of his graduate students studied packet errors and discovered that checksums, which are used to detect corruption in the header of IPv4 packets, are bad at detecting certain kinds of errors that are likely to occur over asynchronous transfer mode. IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2022 There’s no checksum, no sender verification, no nothing. Neil J. Rubenking, PCMAG, 11 Aug. 2022 This puzzle was brilliantly answered by Ben, using a sophisticated version of the checksum modulo-3 technique from Puzzle 3. Quanta Magazine, 23 Mar. 2016 By tracking the MD5 checksum, which uniquely identifies the original source of a song, Hoffman said that Emusic would be able to track files that were being made available from one individual to other Napster users. Brad King, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2000

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of checksum was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near checksum

Cite this Entry

“Checksum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checksum. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on checksum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!