COMPUTER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does computer mean? 

• COMPUTER (noun)
  The noun COMPUTER has 2 senses:

1. a machine for performing calculations automatically

2. an expert at calculation (or at operating calculating machines)

  Familiarity information: COMPUTER used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COMPUTER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A machine for performing calculations automatically

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

computer; computing device; computing machine; data processor; electronic computer; information processing system

Hypernyms ("computer" is a kind of...):

machine (any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks)

Meronyms (parts of "computer"):

disk cache (a cache that stores copies of frequently used disk sectors in random access memory (RAM) so they can be read without accessing the slower disk)

bus; busbar (an electrical conductor that makes a common connection between several circuits)

cathode-ray tube; CRT (a vacuum tube in which a hot cathode emits a beam of electrons that pass through a high voltage anode and are focused or deflected before hitting a phosphorescent screen)

C.P.U.; central processing unit; central processor; CPU; mainframe; processor ((computer science) the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing)

computer peripheral; peripheral; peripheral device (electronic equipment external to the circuit board that contains the CPU of a computer)

chip; micro chip; microchip; microprocessor chip; silicon chip (electronic equipment consisting of a small crystal of a silicon semiconductor fabricated to carry out a number of electronic functions in an integrated circuit)

computer accessory (an accessory for a computer)

computer circuit (a circuit that is part of a computer)

monitor; monitoring device (display produced by a device that takes signals and displays them on a television screen or a computer monitor)

computer memory; computer storage; memory; memory board; storage; store (an electronic memory device)

diskette; floppy; floppy disk (a small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit; used to store data or programs for a microcomputer)

keyboard (device consisting of a set of keys on a piano or organ or typewriter or typesetting machine or computer or the like)

data converter (converter for changing information from one code to another)

computer hardware; hardware ((computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system)

Domain category:

computer science; computing (the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures)

Domain member category:

scratchpad ((computer science) a high-speed internal memory used for temporary storage of preliminary information)

up ((used of computers) operating properly)

incompatible (incapable of being used with or connected to other devices or components without modification)

compatible (capable of being used with or connected to other devices or components without modification)

back up (make a copy of (a computer file) especially for storage in another place as a security copy)

outage (a temporary suspension of operation (as of computers))

pass (one complete cycle of operations (as by a computer))

read-out; readout (the output of a computer in readable form)

printout (the output of a computer in printed form)

data format; data formatting; format; formatting (the organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing))

interconnection ((computer science) the act of interconnecting (wires or computers or theories etc.))

data communication; digital communication (electronic transmission of information that has been encoded digitally (as for storage and processing by computers))

computer science; computing (the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures)

module (computer circuit consisting of an assembly of electronic components (as of computer hardware))

beta test ((computer science) a second test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by an outside organization)

alpha test ((computer science) a first test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by the developer)

data structure ((computer science) the organization of data (and its storage allocations in a computer))

VDU; visual display unit ((British) British term for video display)

console (a scientific instrument consisting of displays and an input device that an operator can use to monitor and control a system (especially a computer system))

throughput (output relative to input; the amount passing through a system from input to output (especially of a computer program over a period of time))

expansion slot; slot ((computer) a socket in a microcomputer that will accept a plug-in circuit board)

faceplate (a protective covering for the front of a machine or device (as a door lock or computer component))

plotter (an instrument (usually driven by a computer) for drawing graphs or pictures)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "computer"):

analog computer; analogue computer (a computer that represents information by variable quantities (e.g., positions or voltages))

digital computer (a computer that represents information by numerical (binary) digits)

home computer (a computer intended for use in the home)

client; guest; node ((computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network)

number cruncher (a computer capable of performing a large number of mathematical operations per second)

pari-mutuel machine; totalisator; totaliser; totalizator; totalizer (computer that registers bets and divides the total amount bet among those who won)

predictor (a computer for controlling antiaircraft fire that computes the position of an aircraft at the instant of a shell's arrival)

host; server ((computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network)

Turing machine (a hypothetical computer with an infinitely long memory tape)

internet site; site; web site; website (a computer connected to the internet that maintains a series of web pages on the World Wide Web)

Holonyms ("computer" is a part of...):

platform (the combination of a particular computer and a particular operating system)

Derivation:

compute (make a mathematical calculation or computation)

computerise (control a function, process, or creation by a computer)

computerise (store in a computer)

computerise (provide with computers)

computerize (control a function, process, or creation by a computer)

computerize (store in a computer)

computerize (provide with computers)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An expert at calculation (or at operating calculating machines)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

calculator; computer; estimator; figurer; reckoner

Hypernyms ("computer" is a kind of...):

expert (a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfully)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "computer"):

adder (a person who adds numbers)

number cruncher (someone able to perform complex and lengthy calculations)

actuary; statistician (someone versed in the collection and interpretation of numerical data (especially someone who uses statistics to calculate insurance premiums))

subtracter (a person who subtracts numbers)

Derivation:

compute (make a mathematical calculation or computation)

computerise (control a function, process, or creation by a computer)

 Context examples 

A pre-release version of a computer program.

(Build, NCI Thesaurus)

A computer program that uses statistics to predict whether a person has an inherited mutation (change) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

(BRCAPro, NCI Dictionary)

A technique to create images of bones on a computer screen or on film.

(Bone scan, NCI Dictionary)

The science of using computers, databases, and math to organize and analyze large amounts of biological, medical, and health information.

(Bioinformatics, NCI Dictionary)

Any of the sets of conductors (wires, PCB tracks or connections in an integrated circuit) connecting the various functional units in a computer.

(Bus, NCI Thesaurus)

A set of electrical conductors designed to route data from multiple locations in a computer.

(Bus Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

A scanner and a computer are used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body where the carbon-11 choline collects.

(carbon-11 choline PET-CT scan, NCI Dictionary)

The pictures are sent to a small wireless receiver that is worn on the waist of the patient and are later viewed on a computer.

(Capsule endoscope, NCI Dictionary)

A scanner and a computer are used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body where the C-11 choline collects.

(C-11 choline PET-CT scan, NCI Dictionary)

Some are high-tech tools, such as computers.

(Assistive Devices, NIH)