# PCS

/ˈpiˈsiz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pcs
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. plural of personal computer

noun · CEFR A2

More than one personal computer (PC).

For teachers: The plural form of the initialism PC (personal computer).

- The office replaced all the old PCs with new laptops last month.
- The laboratory is equipped with high-performance PCs capable of processing complex datasets in real time.

### 2. military relocation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for Permanent Change of Station. It means a long-term move to a new military base or job location.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Permanent Change of Station. Refers to the official relocation of an active-duty service member to a new duty station.

- My family is preparing for a PCS to a new base in Germany this summer.
- The logistics of a PCS can be daunting for military families, especially when coordinating the transport of household goods across international borders.

Usage: Often used as a verb in military jargon (e.g., 'to PCS to Hawaii').

### 3. plural of piece

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

An informal way to write the plural of 'piece', often used in shipping or inventory.

For teachers: A plural abbreviation for 'pieces', typically found in commercial shipping, logistics, or inventory documentation.

- The delivery note said the box should contain 50 pcs of the blue pens.
- The manifest listed three hundred pcs of assorted hardware, though the physical count upon arrival revealed a significant discrepancy.

Usage: Usually written in lowercase (pcs) or with a period (pcs.) in professional contexts.

## Examples

- My family is preparing for a PCS to Germany this summer.
- The sergeant received his PCS orders and began coordinating the shipment of his household goods to the new base.
- Frequent PCS moves can create significant professional challenges for military spouses who must navigate varying state licensing requirements and job markets every few years.

---

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.