byte
This term describes a fundamental unit of data storage and processing. While modern computing standardizes it as eight bits, the term historically served as a flexible descriptor for the smallest addressable unit of memory in a specific architecture. Because it represents a discrete unit of measurement, it is treated as a countable noun. It is frequently used as a modifier in compound terms like byte stream or byte array to specify the granularity of data handling.
Meanings
A unit of digital information that most commonly consists of eight bits.
"The file size is measured in kilobytes and megabytes."
A unit of digital information that may consist of a number of bits other than eight, depending on the specific computer architecture.
"Older systems sometimes used a byte consisting of only seven bits."