microprocessor

This term describes the physical integration of a computer's central processing unit onto a single semiconductor chip. It evokes a sense of extreme miniaturization and high-density engineering, shifting the concept of a computer from a room-sized machine to a component small enough to fit on a fingertip. In modern usage, the word covers a spectrum from high-power CPUs in workstations to tiny embedded controllers in household appliances. It is distinct from a general circuit because it possesses the specific ability to execute programmed instructions and perform arithmetic and logic operations.