clockcycle

noun

UK /ˈklɒk ˌsaɪ.kəl/

US /ˈklɑːk ˌsaɪ.kəl/

A clock cycle is one tiny beat of a computer's inner clock that helps it do its work step by step.

The chip can finish that simple task in a single clock cycle.

SYNONYMS

clock tick clock period cycle tick processor cycle

RELATED WORDS

clock speed CPU frequency hertz processor

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The time it takes for one complete beat of a computer's clock signal.

A faster clock cycle means the computer can do more steps each second.

3. One unit of timing used to measure how fast a processor works.

The program needs only a few clock cycles to add two numbers.

4. A single repeating pulse in a digital circuit that keeps parts in sync.

Each clock cycle tells the memory and the processor to move data together.