English
computer
Etymology

From compute + -er.

Sense 1 first attested in 1613 by the poet Richard Brathwait.

Sense 2 first attested in 1897 in the Engineering (magazine) magazine.

Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /kəmˈpjuːtə/
  • (America) IPA: /kəmˈpjutɚ/, [kəmˈpʰjuɾɚ]
Noun

computer (plural computers)

  1. (now, rare, chiefly, historical) A person employed to perform computations; one who computes. [from 17th c.]
    Synonyms: computator, mental calculator, human calculator
    Hyponym: computress
    1. (by restriction, chiefly, historical) A male computer, where the female computer is called a computress.
  2. A programmable electronic device that performs mathematical calculations and logical operations, especially one that can process, store and retrieve large amounts of data very quickly; now especially, a small one for personal or home use employed for manipulating text or graphics, accessing the Internet, or playing games or media. [from 20th c.]
    Synonyms: processor, 'puter, box, machine, calculator, Thesaurus:computer
    Hyponyms: desktop, laptop, portable computer, stored-program computer
    I spend around 6 hours a day at the computer.
    As well as saving the photos on my computer, I have them backed up on a USB drive.
    David is a computer expert.
    Janet works at the computer store.
Related terms Translations Translations Verb

computer (computers, present participle computering; simple past and past participle computered) (rare, nonstandard)

  1. (intransitive) To use a computer.
  2. (transitive) To send via computer.
  3. (transitive) To transfer onto a computer; to computerize.


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