word processor

English

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /wɜːd ˈpɹəʊˌsɛsə(ɹ)/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /wɝd ˈpɹɑˌsɛsɚ/
  • Audio (General American):(file)

Noun

word processor (plural word processors)

  1. A device similar to a simple computer, designed for word processing.
    • 1986 December 7, Michael Bronsky, “Gay Man's Dream Realized in Benefit Production of archy and mehitabel"”, in Gay Community News, volume 14, number 21, page 7:
      Actually that first story, and all of the succeeding ones, were written by archy — a cockroach with such a need for self-expression that he hoisted himself onto the typewriter keys every night and dove headfirst onto key after key, to pound out his stories. (That is why all of the poems are lower case — he might have better luck these days with a word processor.)
  2. Software that provides word processing functions on a computer, typically including typeface selection, line justification and other formatting, pagination, and numerous other features.
    Synonym: WP
    Coordinate term: text editor
    • 2019 June 27, Jack Schofield, “What’s the best cheap tablet or e-reader for PDF files?”, in The Guardian[1]:
      A smartphone is not the best camera, notebook, word processor, audio recorder, radio, MP3 player, map reader, pedometer and so on, but it is good enough replace numerous separate devices for most people most of the time.

Translations

Italian

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English word processor.

Noun

word processor m (invariable)

  1. word processor (both senses)
    Synonym: sistema di videoscrittura