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Synonyms

CPU

American  

abbreviation

Computers.

  1. central processing unit: the key component of a computer system, which contains the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute program instructions.

CPU British  

abbreviation

  1. central processing unit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
CPU Scientific  

  1. Abbreviation of central processing unit

CPU Cultural  

  1. An abbreviation for c entral p rocessing u nit. The “brain” of a computer, the CPU is where data manipulation actually takes place. The results of these manipulations are then stored in the computer memory. Microprocessors perform this function in personal computers.

Etymology

Origin of CPU

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meta Platforms and OpenAI—both significant clients for Nvidia—will be among the first customers for the chip, called Arm AGI CPU.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“GPUs kind of get top billing wherever they go, but really the CPU is playing an incredibly important role,” Weil said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Nvidia, a major customer for Arm’s basic designs, is stepping up its own CPU efforts in a big way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Having a tier-1 cloud solutions provider as both a lead client and a collaborator “brings the entire CPU program the much-needed credibility,” analysts wrote.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

When we get back to the truck, CPU leaps up, places her front paws on Ray’s chest, and covers his chin with dog kisses.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.