Skip to main content
computer circuit

computer circuit

1 3.4
An electric path inside a computer that does a specific job like processing data or storing information
  • noun
  • /kəmˈpjuːtər ˈsɜːrkɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : circuito de computadora
  • computer circuit board

Examples

  • Activate auxiliary computer circuits through manual shutoff.

  • The computer circuit located on the motherboard is essential for processing data.

  • Engineers are continuously improving computer circuits to make them faster and more efficient.

  • After a thorough analysis, the technicians found that the faulty computer circuit was causing the system to crash.

Synonyms

circuit
vscomputer circuit
  • Specialized
162 3.6

A path of wires and parts that electricity flows through

is used inside a machine to perform specific processing or memory tasks
electrical circuit
vscomputer circuit
  • Specialized
3 3.3

A closed path of wires and parts that lets power flow

is part of a machine that performs processing memory and input output tasks
electric circuit
vscomputer circuit
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A closed path of wires and parts that lets electricity flow

is part of a machine focusing on processing memory and input output functions

How Complex

SoC
  • Specialized
3 7.2
microprocessor
  • Specialized
17 4.2
integrated circuit
  • Specialized
5 4.2
computer circuit
  • Specialized
1 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

computer + circuit

The noun phrase is compositionally transparent: 'circuit' (a route for electric current) modified by 'computer' clearly denotes a circuit that is part of or used in a computer. This follows a common modifier+head noun pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Computer circuit comes from the picture of tiny 'paths' or 'roads' for electricity inside a computer, where the word circuit means a loop or path the electricity follows. That's why a computer circuit is a small part of a computer that sends electricity to do a job like processing information, storing data, or handling input and output.