le ordinateur
computer
Definition & meaning
An ordinateur is an electronic device capable of storing, retrieving, and processing data. It is primarily used for complex calculations, managing large sets of information, and running various software applications.
Depending on the context, it can refer to:
- A personal computer, such as a desktop or laptop.
- A generic term for a computing machine capable of executing programmed instructions.
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar: It is a masculine noun (un ordinateur, l'ordinateur).
Origin: The word was coined in 1954 at the request of IBM France. A professor of philology, Jacques Perret, suggested the term based on the Latin word ordinator (meaning "he who puts in order" or "organizer"). In the Catholic liturgy, the term ordinator was historically used to refer to God as the one who organizes the world. The French term was specifically chosen to replace the English word "computer" and the technical term "calculateur" because it better described the machine's ability to organize and structure information.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms: There are no direct linguistic antonyms for this term, as it identifies a specific technological object.
Make “ordinateur” part of your vocabulary.
Build your French vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Je regarde mon ordinateur.noun
I am looking at my computer.
Keep exploring French
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad