# compute instance

CEFR C1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compute-instance
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

a single virtual computer that runs on a larger server in the cloud. You can rent one to run your own software or websites without buying physical hardware.

For teachers: a virtual server resource provided by a cloud computing platform, representing a discrete slice of a physical host's processing power, memory, and storage. It functions as an independent virtual machine that can be launched, scaled, or terminated on demand.

## Examples

- I launched a new compute instance to host my website.
- The developer configured a high-memory compute instance to handle the heavy data processing required for the new application.
- By distributing the workload across multiple compute instances, the architecture ensures high availability and prevents a single point of failure during peak traffic periods.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in cloud computing contexts (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) to refer to a virtual machine.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.