processor
nounUK /ˈpɹəʊˌsɛsə(ɹ)/ · US /ˈpɹɑˌsɛsɚ/
Etymology Recorded since 1909, from process + -or.
1
A person or institution who processes things (foods, photos, applications, etc.).
- He is a loan processor with a bank.
2
A device which processes, which changes something (a computer processor, food processor, etc.).
- The food processor shredded the vegetables.
- A smartphone is not the best camera, notebook, word processor, audio recorder, radio, MP3 player, map reader, pedometer and so on, but it is good enough replace numerous separate devices for most people most of the time.2019 June 27, Jack Schofield, “What’s the best cheap tablet or e-reader for PDF files?”, in The Guardian:
3
A central processing unit.
- This mainframe's processor is fast.
4
A microprocessor.
- This computer has two processors, but only one keyboard.
- Intel usually brings out a new generation of processors every 12-18 months, and the Core range is now in its seventh generation.2017 January 19, Jack Schofield, “How can I tell if a PC processor is any good?”, in The Guardian:
- Synonyms
- central processing unit, CPU
- Derived terms
- agroprocessor, bioprocessor, coprocessor, co-processor, cryptoprocessor, floating point processor, front-end processor, geoprocessor, histoprocessor, hydroprocessor, interprocessor, microprocessor, multiprocessor, multi-processor, nanoprocessor, neuroprocessor, postprocessor, preprocessor, processor time, single-processor, subprocessor, teleprocessor, third party processor, uniprocessor