# microprocessor

/ˌmaɪkɹoʊˈpɹɑsɛsɝ/ (US) · /mˌaɪkɹəʊpɹˈəʊsɛsɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/microprocessor
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a tiny computer chip that controls the operations of a device. It acts like the brain of a computer or phone, telling all the parts what to do.

For teachers: an integrated circuit that contains the functions of a central processing unit of a computer. It serves as the primary component responsible for executing instructions and managing data flow within a system.

## Examples

- The computer's microprocessor handles all the calculations.
- Engineers are designing a new microprocessor that uses less power and runs faster than the previous generation.
- The evolution of the microprocessor has fundamentally transformed the landscape of modern computing, enabling the miniaturization of complex systems that were once the size of entire rooms.

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