- central processing unit, CPU, C.P.U., central processor, processor, mainframe - (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
--1 is a kind of electronic equipment; hardware, computer hardware
--1 is a part of
--1 has parts: CPU board, mother boardcomputer, computing machine, computing device, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system