# TCP

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tcp
Updated: 2026-05-10

## Definition

Stands for Transmission Control Protocol. A set of rules that computers use to send information to each other over the internet reliably.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Transmission Control Protocol. A core protocol of the Internet Protocol Suite that provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of a stream of octets between applications running on hosts communicating via an IP network.

## Examples

- TCP ensures that your emails arrive in the correct order.
- Web browsers use TCP to connect to servers, ensuring that every piece of data in a webpage is received without errors.
- While UDP is preferred for real-time streaming due to lower latency, TCP remains the standard for file transfers where data integrity and packet sequencing are paramount.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a modifier in the compound 'TCP/IP'.

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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.