concurrent processing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “concurrent processing” mean?
A computing paradigm where multiple tasks are executed simultaneously during overlapping time periods, rather than strictly sequentially.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A computing paradigm where multiple tasks are executed simultaneously during overlapping time periods, rather than strictly sequentially.
More broadly, any system or situation where multiple processes, events, or activities occur at the same time, often interacting with shared resources. In business and project management, it can refer to overlapping phases of work.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows national conventions for related words (e.g., programme/program).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. Slight preference for 'simultaneous' in general British English where Americans might use 'concurrent' in non-tech contexts.
Frequency
Equally frequent in technical computing contexts in both regions. Slightly more common in American business jargon for overlapping project phases.
Grammar
How to Use “concurrent processing” in a Sentence
concurrent processing of [NOUN PHRASE][SYSTEM] supports concurrent processingto enable concurrent processingconcurrent processing between [AGENTS]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “concurrent processing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system is designed to process requests concurrently.
- We need to find a way to run these programmes concurrently.
American English
- The server can process multiple transactions concurrently.
- The application is built to handle tasks concurrently.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to managing multiple project phases or tasks overlapping in time to reduce overall duration. 'We use concurrent processing of design and prototyping to accelerate time-to-market.'
Academic
A core concept in computer science, operating systems, and distributed systems theory. Discussed in terms of algorithms, resource sharing, and synchronization.
Everyday
Rarely used. Might describe a person handling several conversations or chores at the same time.
Technical
The precise computing term for handling multiple execution threads or processes, with concerns for race conditions, deadlocks, and synchronization primitives like mutexes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “concurrent processing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “concurrent processing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “concurrent processing”
- Using 'concurrent' and 'parallel' interchangeably in technical writing.
- Assuming concurrent processing always improves speed—it can introduce overhead.
- Omitting necessary safeguards (e.g., locks) when implementing concurrent systems, leading to data corruption.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Parallel processing requires multiple processors executing instructions at the same physical instant. Concurrent processing is about structuring a program so that multiple tasks can make progress over the same time period, which can be achieved via interleaving on a single processor or via true parallelism.
A race condition is an undesirable situation where the output or state of a system depends on the unpredictable timing or sequence of multiple concurrent threads/processes accessing shared data, leading to inconsistent or erroneous results.
Yes, absolutely. Through techniques like time-slicing and context switching, a single-core CPU can interleave execution of multiple threads, giving the illusion of simultaneity and enabling concurrent processing.
Common tools include mutexes (mutual exclusion locks), semaphores, monitors, condition variables, and message-passing systems. These help synchronize access to shared resources and coordinate between concurrent tasks.
A computing paradigm where multiple tasks are executed simultaneously during overlapping time periods, rather than strictly sequentially.
Concurrent processing is usually technical / formal in register.
Concurrent processing: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈkʌrənt ˈprəʊsesɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈkɜːrənt ˈprɑːsesɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Doing ten things at once”
- “Juggling multiple tasks”
- “Spinning multiple plates”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a chef in a busy kitchen (single CPU) who chops vegetables, stirs a soup, and checks the oven in rapid succession—not all at the exact same second, but making progress on all tasks concurrently.
Conceptual Metaphor
A JUGGLER keeping several balls in the air. The balls (tasks) are all active, but the jugler's hands (processor) touch one at a time.
Practice
Quiz
What is a primary technical challenge introduced by concurrent processing?