What Does Word Processing Mean?
Word processing is the process of creating and editing documents on a computer. It allows a user to create documents that mimic the format and style of a typical typewriter. It requires a computer and word processing software. A printer may also be used to create a physical copy of the document.
Techopedia Explains Word Processing
Word processing is one of the earliest and most commonly used types of computer software. In fact, word processing software is often cited as a major factor in the launch the personal computer industry. This software did such a great job of automating processes that had previously been performed by a dedicated machine (in this case a typewriter) that this type of software helped bring personal computers into the households of regular people, rather than just businesses.
Even today, word processors reflect their history as digital typewriters. They display a sheet of paper on the screen, which captures user input from the keyboard. The user can select different font styles, sizes, colors and many different customizations. And, unlike manual word processing, the digital variety is is much faster and more flexible.
: the production of typewritten documents (such as business letters) with automated and usually computerized typing and text-editing equipment
Example Sentences
These terminals are used mostly for word processing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead, Apache’s OpenOffice is a downloadable, offline suite of productivity tools for word processing, creating spreadsheets and presentations, and more.
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Marc Saltzman, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2023
Additionally, the Lisa shipped with a suite of applications, including word processing and charts, which discouraged third-party developers from writing software for it.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 Jan. 2023
One participant used a word processing app to write for example.
—Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2018
This latter category might include, for example, files created with outdated versions of word processing programs.
—Discover Magazine, 27 May 2011
Also, workers with intermediate skills—including understanding of cloud concepts and ability to use tools like drag-and-drop websites—earned 40% more than individuals with basic digital skills, like email and word processing.
—Heather Landy, Quartz, 21 Dec. 2022
This is a decent entry-level desktop for those who don’t need much storage space and just want something to do word processing, surf the web, and stream video.
—Karl Klockars, PCMAG, 4 Nov. 2022
Enlarge / Project Blink can edit video using text search and word processing techniques.
—Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 20 Oct. 2022
The decision permitted upper and lower letters and special symbols to be stored in one byte, allowing for word processing and numerical calculations to be performed on the same computer.
—Bob Tita, WSJ, 25 Nov. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘word processing.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1967, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of word processing was
in 1967
Dictionary Entries Near word processing
Cite this Entry
“Word processing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/word%20processing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
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Last Updated:
14 Feb 2023
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
- word processing
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обработка текстов, подготовка текстов, текстообработка
Англо-русский толковый словарь терминов и сокращений по ВТ, Интернету и программированию. .
1998-2007.
Смотреть что такое «word processing» в других словарях:
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word processing — ➔ processing * * * word processing UK US noun [U] (ABBREVIATION WP) IT ► the process of creating and organizing electronic text using a computer: »Children learn basic word processing skills in class. »word processing package/program/software … Financial and business terms
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Word processing — is the creation of documents using a word processor. It can also refer to advanced shorthand techniques, sometimes used in specialized contexts with a specially modified typewriter.External links* [http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/timg/… … Wikipedia
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word processing — /wə:d proʊsesiŋ/, it. /wɔrd prɔsɛs:ing/ (o anche, erroneam., /… pro sɛs:ing/) locuz. ingl. [comp. di word parola e processing elaborazione ], usata in ital. come s.m. (inform.) [insieme dei modi e delle tecniche che fanno uso di strumenti… … Enciclopedia Italiana
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word processing — /wordˈprosesin(g), ingl. ˈwYːdˌprəusɛsɪŋ/ [loc. ingl., comp. di word «parola» e processing «trattamento»] loc. sost. m. inv. (elab.) videoscrittura … Sinonimi e Contrari. Terza edizione
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word processing — word ,processing noun uncount the work or skill of producing written documents on a computer or word processor … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
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word processing — n. the production of documents with a word processor … English World dictionary
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Word Processing — [engl.], Textverarbeitung … Universal-Lexikon
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word processing — writing, editing, and production of documents, as letters, reports, and books, through the use of a computer program or a complete computer system designed to facilitate rapid and efficient manipulation of text. Abbr.: WP Also, word processing.… … Universalium
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word processing — noun rapid and efficient processing (storage and printing) of linguistic data for composition and editing • Topics: ↑printing, ↑printing process • Hypernyms: ↑data processing * * * noun [noncount] : the production of printed pages of writing… … Useful english dictionary
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word processing — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ basic, simple WORD PROCESSING + NOUN ▪ application, package, product, program, software, system … Collocations dictionary
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word processing — also word processing N UNCOUNT: oft N n Word processing is the work or skill of producing printed documents using a computer … English dictionary
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PRONUNCIATION OF WORD PROCESSING
GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF WORD PROCESSING
Word processing is a noun.
A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality. Nouns provide the names for all things: people, objects, sensations, feelings, etc.
WHAT DOES WORD PROCESSING MEAN IN ENGLISH?
Word processor
A word processor is an electronic device or computer software application that, as directed by the user, performs word processing: the composition, editing, formatting and sometimes printing of any sort of written material. Word processing can also refer to advanced shorthand techniques, sometimes used in specialized contexts with a specially modified typewriter. The term was coined at IBM’s Böblingen, West Germany Laboratory in the 1960s. Typical features of a word processor include font application, spell checking, grammar checking, a built-in thesaurus, automatic text correction, Web integration and HTML exporting, among others. In its simplest form, a word processor is little more than a large expensive typewriter that makes correcting mistakes easy. The word processor emerged as a stand-alone office machine in the 1970s and 1980s, combining the keyboard text-entry and printing functions of an electric typewriter with a dedicated computer processor for the editing of text.
Definition of word processing in the English dictionary
The definition of word processing in the dictionary is the composition of documents using a computer system to input, edit, store, and print them.
Synonyms and antonyms of word processing in the English dictionary of synonyms
Translation of «word processing» into 25 languages
TRANSLATION OF WORD PROCESSING
Find out the translation of word processing to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of word processing from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «word processing» in English.
Translator English — Chinese
文字处理
1,325 millions of speakers
Translator English — Spanish
procesamiento & de textos
570 millions of speakers
Translator English — Hindi
शब्द संसाधन
380 millions of speakers
Translator English — Arabic
معالجة النصوص
280 millions of speakers
Translator English — Russian
обработка текстов
278 millions of speakers
Translator English — Portuguese
processamento de textos
270 millions of speakers
Translator English — Bengali
শব্দ প্রক্রিয়াকরণ
260 millions of speakers
Translator English — French
traitement de texte
220 millions of speakers
Translator English — Malay
pemprosesan perkataan
190 millions of speakers
Translator English — Japanese
ワードプロセッシング
130 millions of speakers
Translator English — Korean
워드 프로세싱
85 millions of speakers
Translator English — Javanese
Tembung Processing
85 millions of speakers
Translator English — Vietnamese
xử lý văn bản
80 millions of speakers
Translator English — Tamil
சொல் செயலாக்க
75 millions of speakers
Translator English — Marathi
वर्ड प्रोसेसिंग
75 millions of speakers
Translator English — Turkish
Kelime işlem
70 millions of speakers
Translator English — Polish
edytor tekstu
50 millions of speakers
Translator English — Ukrainian
обробка текстів
40 millions of speakers
Translator English — Romanian
procesare de text
30 millions of speakers
Translator English — Greek
επεξεργασία κειμένου
15 millions of speakers
Translator English — Afrikaans
woordverwerking
14 millions of speakers
Translator English — Swedish
ordbehandling
10 millions of speakers
Translator English — Norwegian
tekstbehandling
5 millions of speakers
Trends of use of word processing
TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «WORD PROCESSING»
The term «word processing» is quite widely used and occupies the 36.338 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
FREQUENCY
Quite widely used
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «word processing» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of word processing
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «word processing».
FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «WORD PROCESSING» OVER TIME
The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «word processing» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «word processing» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.
Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about word processing
10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «WORD PROCESSING»
Discover the use of word processing in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to word processing and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Keyboarding & Word Processing, Complete Course, Lessons 1-120
This comprehensive text provides three semesters of keyboarding and word processing instruction.
Susie VanHuss, Connie Forde, Donna Woo, 2008
2
Advanced Word Processing, Lessons 56-110: Microsoft Word 2010
Based on customer feedback, this semester-based text includes 55 lessons in a one-book solution that includes both documents and software instructions within a space-saving easel-back format.
Susie VanHuss, Connie Forde, Donna Woo, 2010
3
Word Processing in Groups
This study in combinatorial group theory introduces the concept of automatic groups.
David B. A. Epstein, James W. Cannon, 1992
4
College Keyboarding: Advanced Word Processing, Lessons 56-120
Based on customer feedback, this semester-based text includes 55 lessons in a one-book solution that includes both documents and software instructions within a space-saving easel-back format.
5
Keyboarding and Word Processing, Complete Course, Lessons …
This comprehensive text combines all of the lessons and learning tools you will need for your course within a space-saving easel-back format.
Susie VanHuss, Connie Forde, Donna Woo, 2010
6
Keyboarding and Word Processing Essentials, Lessons 1-55: …
Based on customer feedback, this semester-based text includes 55 lessons in a one-book solution that includes both documents and instructions for using keyboarding software (sold separately) within a space-saving easel-back format.
Susie VanHuss, Connie Forde, Donna Woo, 2010
7
Advanced Word Processing: Lessons 61-120, Microsoft Word 2007
Advance yourself to the expert level of word processing with College Keyboarding 17E: Advanced Word Processing, Lessons 61-120. This text helps you focus on document mastery and advanced word-processing functions with Microsoft Word 2007.
8
Electric Language: A Philosophical Study of Word Processing
In this book Michael Heim provides the first consistent philosophical basis for critically evaluating the impact of word processing on our use of and ideas about language.
9
Keyboarding and Word Processing, Lessons 1-60
Combining keyboarding lessons and skillbuilding with basic formatting skill using Word 2003, this text will develop speed and accuracy while teaching the basics of document and word processing.
Susie H. VanHuss, Connie M. Forde, Donna L. Woo, 2004
10
Spotlight On: Word Processing
These flexible books that you can mix and match to suit your specific classroom needs, introduce a concept, provide practice using the application, and then allow students to use the applications in a cross-curricular scenario.
10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «WORD PROCESSING»
Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term word processing is used in the context of the following news items.
Quip, The Mobile-First Word Processing App, Adds A Desktop Version
It’s a somewhat ironic turn, given that when he was first launching Quip, Taylor mocked legacy word processing programs, noting that “It’s comical how similar … «TechCrunch, Jul 15»
Reading Skill Development Can Continue to Middle School
Automatic word processing is the brain’s ability to determine whether a group of symbols constitutes a word within milliseconds, without the brain’s owner … «PsychCentral.com, Jul 14»
Ten things everyone should know how to do with a word processor
Admit it: You don’t use half the tools in your word processing app—whether it’s Microsoft Word, Apple’s own Pages, or Google Docs—maybe even less than half. «Macworld, Jul 14»
Word Processing Moves Beyond the Virtual Typewriter
The key thing about new ‘productivity’ apps like Office for the iPad and Quip is that they move beyond the original idea of word processing, which simply created … «Wall Street Journal, Mar 14»
Quip, Ex-FB CTO Bret Taylor’s Word Processing App, Gets A Like …
When Bret Taylor, the ex-CTO of Facebook, co-founded mobile-first word processing app Quip with ex-Googler Kevin Gibbs, the move appeared to be a world … «TechCrunch, Mar 14»
Quip, The Mobile-First Word Processing App, Now Imports From …
Quip, a new word processing app with an impressive pedigree (co-created by ex-Facebook CTO Bret Taylor and the father of Google Apps Engine, Kevin Gibbs) … «TechCrunch, Nov 13»
Quip Launches And Promises To Reinvent Word Processing In The …
While Google Docs has shown it’s possible to do word processing online, the Web giant hasn’t broken free of print metaphors. «One of the interesting things is … «Business Insider, Jul 13»
5 free open source alternatives to Microsoft Office
While Microsoft Office is the industry standard in terms of , integrated applications for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, database management, … «PCWorld, Sep 12»
The Imminent Word Processing Bloodbath
Google Docs promoters are going around the country urging municipalities and other large scale users to adopt the system. Some have done so—enough to … «PC Magazine, Jan 12»
The Muses of Insert, Delete and Execute
The literary history of word processing is far murkier, but that isn’t stopping Matthew G. Kirschenbaum, an associate professor of English at the University of … «New York Times, Dec 11»
REFERENCE
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Updated: 12/31/2022 by
Word processing describes creating or editing a document using a word processor, such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or OpenOffice Writer. For example, a student could create a book report in a Word Processor application. Then, the student could print it, save it to a disk, display it on the screen, or send it over e-mail. Also, a person looking for a job could create a résumé using a word processor, then e-mail or print and mail it to job recruiters.
How to open a word processing file
How a word processing file opens depends on the type of word processor software used to create the file and its file format. Thankfully today, most word processors are capable of opening most word processor files, and as long as you can access one of them, you can open the file. For example, a file called «example.doc» was likely created in Microsoft Word and opens in Microsoft Word or OpenOffice or uploaded to Google Docs and viewed and edited online.
- Where can I get a free word processor?
What was used before word processing?
Before computers, people used typewriters to write reports or other documents, which had nowhere near the capabilities as today’s word processors. With a word processor, you can easily edit and make changes to a document, move text around in a document, add images, change fonts, check for spelling errors, and more.
Today’s word processing concept was introduced by IBM with its introduction of the IBM Magnetic Tape Selectric Typewriter in 1964, which pioneered using magnetic recording devices and typewriting. Referred to as «power typing,» the feature of revising stored text improved office efficiency by allowing typists to type at «rough draft» speed without the pressure of worrying about mistakes.
Typography terms, Word processor, Word processor terms