Definition: Central Processing Unit (CPU)

By Jack Krupansky

A central processing unit (CPU) is the component of a computer which performs the actual manipulation of information under the control of a running computer program (or process).

A computer may have more than one central processing unit.

Some central processing units can actually execute two processes or threads in parallel using an approach known as hyper-threading.  A CPU can support the execution of multiple processes through an approach known as multi-tasking.

A central processing unit is capable of executing a computer process thread.

 

Synonym for processor.

Synonym for computer processor.

Singular of central processing units.

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Updated: November 14, 2005 04:56:41 PM -0500

Copyright © 2005 John W. Krupansky d/b/a Base Technology