CPU \CPU\, cpu \c.p.u.\n. abbr.
   1. (Computers) The central processing unit, that part of
      the electronic circuitry of a computer in which the
      arithmetic and logical operations are performed on input
      data, which are thereby converted to output data; it is
      usually located on the mainboard, or motherboard, of a
      computer. The CPU and the memory form the central part of
      a computer to which the peripherals are attached. Most
      personal computers as of 1998 had only one CPU, but some
      computers may have more than one CPU. [acronym]

   Syn: central processing unit, CPU, C.P.U., central processor,
        processor.
        [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

	

	C.P.U.
     n : (computer science) the part of a computer (a microprocessor
         chip) that does most of the data processing; the CPU and
         the memory form the central part of a computer to which
         the peripherals are attached [syn: central processing
         unit, CPU, central processor, processor, mainframe]

	

	CPU
     n : (computer science) the part of a computer (a microprocessor
         chip) that does most of the data processing; the CPU and
         the memory form the central part of a computer to which
         the peripherals are attached [syn: central processing
         unit, C.P.U., central processor, processor, mainframe]

	

	CPU
     Central Processing Unit

	

	CPU
     
         1. central processing unit.
     
        2. Occasionally used (although less and less) to refer to the
        system unit.
     
        (2000-08-10)