A fixed-size unit of data that a computer processor handles as one piece, often made of several bytes.
Examples
The processor uses a 64-bit word.
Each memory word stores a fixed number of bits.
The instruction operates on one machine word at a time.
Older systems often used a 16-bit word.
A word boundary can affect memory access speed.
The manual defines the register size as one word.
Similar words
unit
data unit
machine word
operand
register unit
storage unit
Agreement or approval
interjection
everyday
slang
A slang response used to show agreement, acknowledgment, approval, or recognition that something is true.
Examples
"That concert was incredible." "Word."
"We should leave early." "Word."
He nodded and said, "Word, I understand."
"She really helped us." "Word."
The comment ended with a casual "word."
Similar words
true
agreed
yes
indeed
exactly
right
for sure
Etymology
From Old English word, meaning word, speech, or statement, from a Germanic source also seen in Old High German wort. It is related farther back to Latin verbum, meaning word, and to Greek forms connected with saying or speaking. The verb developed from the noun and means to put an idea into words.
FAQ
What does word mean?
Word can mean a unit of language, a remark, news, a promise, an order, a technical computer unit, or the act of phrasing something as a verb.
Is word a noun or a verb?
Word is both. As a noun, it names a language unit or several related ideas. As a verb, it means to express something in a particular way.
What is the plural of word?
The plural is words.
What does have a word mean?
Have a word means have a short conversation, often private or serious.
What does give your word mean?
Give your word means make a promise or personal assurance.
What does any word on it mean?
It means any news or information about it.
What does worded mean?
Worded means expressed in a particular choice of words, as in a carefully worded reply.
What does word mean in computing?
In computing, a word is a fixed-size unit of data handled by a processor. Its size depends on the system.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
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Minty Panda
Aug 14
I came here for computer word and got philosophy, nice
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Ivory Chipmunk
Aug 14
a picture is worth a thousand words belongs somewhere here surely
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Polar Newt
Aug 13
My word! makes me hear a shocked auntie immediately
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Coral Ibex
Aug 13
word of mouth should be on the main page imo, I looked for that first
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Wild Heron
Aug 13
In school I learned vocabulary for this, then got corrected: one new word, many words. took ages to stop doing it
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Sturdy Flamingo
Aug 9
the slang one always reads like a 90s movie subtitle to me lol
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Neat Pelican
Aug 7
english really put its whole junk drawer into this one word
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Contribution
Copper Mouse
Aug 4
programmer note: WORD in Windows docs is 16 bits, but a machine word is not automatically 16 bits. In architecture talk, word size is context-dependent, so spell out 32-bit or 64-bit if it matters.
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Opal Moth
Aug 7
MIPS docs made this worse for me, word meant 32 bits even on 64-bit stuff
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Witty Bunting
Aug 3
My word! is still understandable as a mild surprise phrase, but in my circles it sounds older or British. Not the same vibe as Word. meaning yes.
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Contribution
Bronze Panther
Jul 30
word up feels pretty dated to my ear, or like somebody is doing a bit. plain word as a reply can still mean yeah, true, I hear you, but I wouldnt use it in an office email
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Coral Marten
Aug 1
word? as a question is still around a bit, like really?
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Crimson Bobcat
Jul 27
by word of mouth normally stays open. I would only hyphenate it before a noun, like word-of-mouth marketing. learners copy mouth to mouth from French or Spanish and it sounds like first aid in English
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Crimson Toad
Jul 29
yep, mouth-to-mouth is CPR for me, not advertising
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Minty Moth
Jul 22
One tiny plural trap: Can I have a word with you? can be just a private talk, maybe serious. We had words with each other means there was an argument.
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Scarlet Bunting
Jul 24
my manager saying can I have a word still gives me dread
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Opal Ladybug
Jul 18
For learner essays: word for word is the usual choice when you mean exact copying, or reporting the exact sentence. word by word sounds more like going through a line slowly, one piece at a time
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Chilly Panther
Jul 20
same. word by word is what I say when I am reading legal text painfully slowly