distributed data processing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very specializedFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “distributed data processing” mean?
A computing approach where multiple computers, often geographically separate, work together to handle data and applications.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A computing approach where multiple computers, often geographically separate, work together to handle data and applications.
A system architecture designed to share workload and resources across networked nodes, improving resilience, scalability, and performance compared to centralized systems. Also refers to the paradigm and practice of processing data where it resides rather than in a central location.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms may follow regional conventions (e.g., 'centre' vs. 'center').
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally frequent in technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “distributed data processing” in a Sentence
[System/Architecture] + employs/uses + distributed data processing[We/They] + implemented + distributed data processing + [to achieve X]The + advantages + of + distributed data processing + are...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “distributed data processing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The firm decided to distribute the data processing across regional centres to improve latency.
- We are distributing our data processing to comply with new sovereignty regulations.
American English
- The platform distributes data processing to thousands of edge devices.
- They successfully distributed their data processing workload.
adverb
British English
- The tasks were processed distributedly across the network. (Very rare/awkward)
- The system operates in a distributed data processing manner.
American English
- The data is handled distributedly to balance the load. (Very rare/awkward)
- They designed it to work distributedly.
adjective
British English
- The new distributed-data-processing framework was more resilient.
- They studied a distributed data processing model.
American English
- We need a distributed data processing solution.
- Apache Spark is a distributed data processing engine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to IT infrastructure strategy, e.g., 'Our move to distributed data processing reduced server downtime.'
Academic
A key concept in computer science papers on systems architecture, parallelism, and cloud computing.
Everyday
Rarely used. Might be simplified to 'using multiple computers to work together'.
Technical
The standard term for describing systems like Hadoop, Spark, or Kubernetes clusters that process data across many nodes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “distributed data processing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “distributed data processing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “distributed data processing”
- Using 'distributed' to mean merely 'shared' or 'divided' without the technical architecture implication.
- Confusing it with 'parallel processing', which may occur on a single machine.
- Misspelling as 'distributed data proccessing' (double 'c').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Cloud computing is a model for enabling network access to configurable resources, which often uses distributed data processing as its underlying technical approach. Distributed data processing is a more specific technical concept.
A global weather forecasting model that runs calculations on supercomputers in different countries simultaneously, each processing data for its region, and then combining the results.
Key challenges include ensuring data consistency across nodes, managing network communication and latency, handling partial failures (fault tolerance), and securing data across multiple locations.
Not necessarily. In computing, 'distributed' primarily means across multiple separate systems (nodes) on a network. These nodes can be in the same data centre (physically close) or across the globe. The key is logical separation and network communication.
Distributed data processing is usually formal/technical in register.
Distributed data processing: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˌstrɪb.jʊ.tɪd ˈdeɪ.tə ˈprəʊ.ses.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈstrɪb.jə.t̬ɪd ˈdeɪ.t̬ə ˈprɑː.ses.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated. Related concept: 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket' (resonates with the philosophy of distribution).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pizza delivery chain: the data (order) is processed (cooked) at multiple distributed locations (kitchens) rather than one central factory.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HIVE or ANTS' NEST (many agents working in concert without a single central controller); A NETWORK (interconnected nodes).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary conceptual opposite of 'distributed data processing'?