CPU

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

CPU
    n 1: (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}, {C.P.U.}, {central processor}, {processor},
         {mainframe}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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]

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

central processing unit
CPU
processor

   <architecture, processor> (CPU, processor) The part of a
   computer which controls all the other parts.  Designs vary
   widely but the CPU generally consists of the {control unit},
   the {arithmetic and logic unit} (ALU), {registers}, temporary
   {buffers} and various other logic.

   The control unit fetches {instructions} from memory and
   decodes them to produce signals which control the other parts
   of the computer.  These signals cause it to transfer data
   between memory and ALU or to activate {peripherals} to perform
   input or output.

   Various types of memory, including {cache}, {RAM} and {ROM},
   are often considered to be part of the CPU, particularly in
   modern {microprocessors} where a single {integrated circuit}
   may contain one or more processors as well as any or all of
   the above types of memory.  The CPU, and any of these
   components that are in separate chips, are usually all located
   on the same {printed circuit board}, known as the
   {motherboard}.  This in turn is located in the {system unit}
   (sometimes incorrectly referred to as the "CPU").

   A {parallel computer} has several CPUs which may share other
   resources such as memory and peripherals.

   The term "processor" has to some extent replaced "CPU", though
   RAM and ROM are not logically part of the processor.

   List of processors
   (http://lldn.timesys.com/complete_list_of_processors).

   (2007-04-02)