Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Byte Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💾
Add to dictionary

byte

[baɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

computing

A unit of digital information that most commonly consists of eight bits, representing a single character.

Synonyms

bit, octet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
byte

Use 'byte' when referring to a unit of digital information typically consisting of 8 bits. It is commonly used in the context of computer memory and storage.

  • The file size is 200 megabytes.
  • You need at least 512 bytes of memory to run this program.
octet

Use 'octet' when a clear distinction from other byte sizes is needed, particularly in networking. It ensures the meaning of an 8-bit byte in environments where bytes are of different sizes.

  • The IPv4 address is typically written in four octets separated by periods.
  • Each octet in the MAC address is separated by colons.
bit

Use 'bit' when referring to the basic unit of information in computing and digital communications, representing a binary digit (0 or 1). It is essential in contexts involving data transmission and binary logic.

  • The modem transmits data at a rate of 56 kilobits per second.
  • Each pixel is represented by a 24-bit color value.

Examples of usage

  • The text file is 500 megabytes in size.
  • The image is stored in a binary format using bytes.
Context #2 | Noun

computing

A sequence of adjacent bits operated on as a unit by a computer; a group of bits that can be transmitted or processed together.

Synonyms

block, word.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
byte

Typically used in computing to refer to a unit of digital information that consists of 8 bits. Commonly used when discussing data storage, memory, and processing.

  • A file size of 1024 bytes is equal to 1 kilobyte.
  • Each character in a text file is stored as one byte.
block

Used in computing to refer to a contiguous set of bytes or bytes grouped together for purposes like reading from or writing to storage media. Also used in blockchain technology. In general English, can refer to a solid piece of material or an obstacle.

  • A block in a filesystem might be 512 bytes in size.
  • Data in the blockchain is stored in blocks.
  • He placed a block of wood on the table.
word

In computing, refers to the standard unit of data that a processor can handle; the size can vary depending on the architecture (e.g., 16-bit, 32-bit). In general English, it refers to a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing.

  • A 32-bit processor can process 4-byte words.
  • She typed a word into the search box.

Examples of usage

  • The data is transferred in 64-byte blocks.
  • The program reads the file byte by byte.
Context #3 | Verb

computing

To transmit or store (data) in the form of bytes.

Synonyms

encode, transmit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
byte

This term is used in computing and digital technology to describe a unit of data consisting of 8 bits. It is often used when talking about memory storage or data size.

  • The file size is 1,024 bytes.
  • Your computer has 8 gigabytes of RAM.
encode

This word is used in technical contexts where data needs to be converted from one form to another, often to ensure that it can be properly stored or transmitted. It can apply to text, images, video, and other types of data.

  • The software can encode video files in various formats.
  • Make sure to encode your password before storing it in the database.
transmit

This term is used when referring to the process of sending data from one place to another. It is common in networking, telecommunications, and broadcasting.

  • The modem can transmit data at high speeds.
  • Radio signals are used to transmit information over the airwaves.

Examples of usage

  • The file needs to be byte-compiled before execution.
  • The data is byte-encoded for security reasons.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Technology

  • A single byte can represent 256 different values, which is why it's often used to store characters in text.
  • Bytes are the building blocks of digital communication; they form the basis for file sizes and data transfer rates.
  • When you download a song that is 5 megabytes, it means you are receiving 5 million bytes of data!

Science

  • In information theory, the byte is fundamental in quantifying data and is crucial for understanding computer storage.
  • Bytes can be grouped to create larger units such as kilobytes (1,024 bytes) and megabytes (1,024 kilobytes).
  • Scientists often use bytes to analyze data in research, affecting how information is processed in experiments.

Pop Culture

  • In the early days of computing, the byte became a symbol for the dawn of the digital age, often appearing in media and films.
  • Movies like 'The Social Network' explore the importance of bytes and data in shaping the modern world of technology.
  • Video games utilize bytes to save characters' progress, making bytes a fundamental part of gaming culture.

Education

  • Teaching about bytes helps students understand how computers work and the importance of digital literacy.
  • Many coding programs for kids introduce bytes as essential units to grasp programming concepts.
  • Bytes serve as a basic building block in tech education, paving the way towards understanding algorithms and data structures.

Origin of 'byte'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'byte' was coined in 1956 by computer scientist Dr. Werner Buchholz.
  • It is a play on the word 'bite,' indicating a small piece of data.
  • Originally, a byte was defined as a group of 4 bits, but it now commonly represents 8 bits.

The term 'byte' originated as a contraction of 'by eight', referring to the eight bits that make up a byte. It was first coined by Dr. Werner Buchholz in 1956 when working for IBM. Bytes are fundamental units of information in computing, and their standardization has played a crucial role in the development of digital technologies.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,388, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.