digital computer

noun

: a computer that operates with numbers expressed directly as digits compare analog computer, hybrid computer

Examples of digital computer in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But now that digital computers are king, why any interest in analog versions? — New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2025 By the 1960s, digital computers had largely replaced their analog counterparts. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 For a digital computer, time is thin, unidimensional, and abstracted away from its thermodynamic arrow. — Anil Seth, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025 As per the team, traditional digital computers consume large amounts of energy because of computation and because data must be repeatedly moved between memory and processing units. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for digital computer

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of digital computer was in 1946

Rhymes for digital computer

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Browse Nearby Words

digital camera
digital computer
digital divide
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Cite this Entry

“Digital computer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digital%20computer. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

digital computer

noun
: a computer that operates with numbers expressed as digits (as in the binary system) compare analog computer

More from Merriam-Webster on digital computer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about digital computer

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