Langimage
English

microprocessor

|mi/cro/pro/ces/sor|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˌmaɪkroʊˈprɑːsesər/

🇬🇧

/ˌmaɪkrəʊˈprəʊsesə/

small processing unit

Etymology
Etymology Information

'microprocessor' originates from the combination of 'micro-' meaning 'small' and 'processor' meaning 'a device that processes data'.

Historical Evolution

'microprocessor' was coined in the 1970s as technology advanced to create smaller processing units.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to any small processing unit, but now it specifically refers to the central processing unit in computers.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

an integrated circuit that contains the functions of a central processing unit of a computer.

The microprocessor is the brain of the computer.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/14 09:35