computer age: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2semi-formal, journalistic, academic
Quick answer
What does “computer age” mean?
The current historical period characterized by the widespread use and influence of computers and digital technology.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The current historical period characterized by the widespread use and influence of computers and digital technology.
The era beginning around the mid-20th century when computers became central to business, communication, science, and daily life, fundamentally transforming how information is processed, stored, and disseminated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; concept is identical. British English may show slightly more frequent use of 'digital age' in comparable contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term can carry connotations of progress, rapid change, and sometimes technological dependence or social disruption.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US English. Appears frequently in media, business, and educational discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “computer age” in a Sentence
We are living in the computer age.The computer age has brought many changes.Education must adapt to the computer age.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “computer age” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We must learn to navigate the challenges that the computer age presents.
- Few industries have remained untouched as the computer age has advanced.
American English
- The company failed to adapt when the computer age arrived.
- Schools are scrambling to prepare students for a workforce defined by the computer age.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used adverbially) The society has changed, computer age, in ways we never predicted.
American English
- (Rarely used adverbially)
adjective
British English
- Computer-age innovations have reshaped our high streets.
- They have a computer-age mindset, valuing data and connectivity.
American English
- Computer-age literacy is now a basic requirement for most jobs.
- We're dealing with computer-age problems that need new solutions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the necessity of digital tools, e-commerce, and data-driven decision-making.
Academic
Used to discuss historical periodisation, technological impact on society, and shifts in knowledge production.
Everyday
Used to explain why certain skills (like using apps) are now essential or to comment on societal change.
Technical
Less common in highly technical computing contexts, where more precise terms like 'computing era' might be used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “computer age”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “computer age”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “computer age”
- Using 'computer's age' (possessive) to mean the historical period.
- Treating it as an adjective (*'computer age technology' is redundant; use 'digital technology').
- Overusing the term when 'digital' or 'modern' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often used interchangeably. 'Computer age' can sound slightly more dated, focusing on the machine itself, while 'digital age' is more contemporary and encompasses all digital technology (internet, smartphones).
There is no precise date. It is generally considered to have begun in the mid-20th century with the development of the first general-purpose electronic computers (1940s-1950s) and accelerated with the advent of the personal computer in the 1970s-1980s.
When used as a compound modifier before a noun, it is often hyphenated (e.g., 'computer-age technology'). When used as a noun phrase on its own, it is usually not hyphenated ('We live in the computer age').
Yes, it is being gradually superseded by terms like 'digital age' or 'information age', which feel more current and encompass technologies beyond traditional 'computers', such as networks and mobile devices.
The current historical period characterized by the widespread use and influence of computers and digital technology.
Computer age is usually semi-formal, journalistic, academic in register.
Computer age: in British English it is pronounced /kəmˈpjuːtə eɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəmˈpjuːt̬ɚ eɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “born in the computer age”
- “a child of the computer age”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
COMPUTER AGE: Imagine a calendar where the pages are computer keyboards. The current page you're on is labelled 'NOW' – that's the Computer Age.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A JOURNEY/ERA (We have entered the computer age); TECHNOLOGY IS A FORCE (The computer age swept over us).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical synonym for 'computer age'?