DictionaryAI

computer

kuhm-PYOO-tur/kəmˈpjutɚ/kuhm-PYOO-tuh/kəmˈpjuːtə/

Pluralcomputers

Verbcomputers, computering, computered

5 meanings of computer

Practice

  1. 1
    machinenouncountable
    An electronic machine that stores information and follows instructions to do tasks like writing, games, or going online.

    Like a very fast helper that follows your instructions and remembers things for you.

    My computer crashed while I was saving the file.

    We bought a new computer for the kids to play games on.

    UsageSit at the computer; save files on the computer.

    Similarmachine

    Note
  2. 2
    human calculatornounarchaichistorical
    In the past, a person whose job was to do long sums and calculations by hand.

    Like a person doing the job a calculator does today.

    The observatory hired a computer to check the astronomers' figures.

    Only a few years ago Mr. Powers, an American computer, disproved a hypothesis about prime numbers which had held the field for more than 250 years.
    1927, J. B. S. Haldane, Possible Worlds and Other EssaysHere, computer means a person whose job is doing math by hand.
    Note
  3. 3
    use oneverbnonstandardintransitive
    To use a computer.
    I'm constantly computering, schlepping, stressing, and hauling ass like the rest of us. We are New Yorkers.
    2017, Alyssa Shelasky, “What I Discovered When I Outsourced My Back Pain”Here, computering means using a computer.
    Yeah, you saw what he could do when he flips out. I mean, how am I going to say no to that? Plus, he does computer good.
    2019, “Finding Mr. Right”, in Harley QuinnHere, computer means use a computer.
    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    put on fileverbnonstandardtransitive
    To move information onto a computer, or to set up a system to use computers.
    Our sincere thanks are due to Antje Reuter, Jens Adam and Uwe Horstmann for computering the manuscript and Ralph Phillips and Kirsten Techmer for proof reading it.
    1983, H. Ahrendt, N. ClauerHere, computering means putting the text onto a computer.
    I have 30 years worth of logs some place and they have been computered the last few years and the last few years I think I have posted them to the sites I hang out on.
    2010, Burr, “MFW has been milked dry”Here, computered means put onto a computer.

    Similardigitize, computerize

    Note
  2. 5
    sendverbnonstandardtransitive
    To send a message or file to someone using a computer.
    They had immediately computered the description out to the scores of law enforcement agencies in Southern California.
    1988, Marcel Montecino, The CrosskillerHere, computered means sent out by computer.

    Similaremail, transmit, send

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of computer apart? Answer 2 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From the word compute plus the ending -er. The first meaning appeared around 1613, and the machine meaning was in use by 1897.

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 3 facts