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Megabits: meaning, definitions and examples

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megabits

 

[ ˈmɛgəˌbɪt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

data measurement

A megabit is a unit of measurement for digital information, equivalent to one million bits. It is commonly used to measure data transfer speeds in telecommunications and computer networking. Megabits are often expressed in terms of megabits per second (Mbps), which indicates the rate at which data is transmitted.

Synonyms

Mb, Mbit, megabits per second.

Examples of usage

  • The internet speed is 100 megabits per second.
  • This file download is measured in megabits.
  • Megabits are essential for understanding bandwidth requirements.

Etymology

The term 'megabit' originates from the combination of 'mega,' a prefix in the International System of Units meaning one million, and 'bit,' the smallest unit of information in computing and digital communications. The prefix 'mega-' comes from the Greek word 'megathē,' meaning great or large. The concept of the megabit became relevant in the late 20th century as digital technology and internet usage surged. With the advent of high-speed internet and more complex digital systems, the need for understanding data measurement expanded, leading to the widespread use of megabits and megabits per second (Mbps) to describe internet connection speeds and data transfer rates.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,354, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.