parity bit
noun
Simple meaning
A bit used to indicate whether the number of bits in a given set with value of one is even or odd.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
pehruhteebitSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈpɛɹətiˈbɪt
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
computing
A bit (binary digit) used to indicate whether the number of bits in a given set with value of one is even or odd. Parity bits are used as a simple error detection code.
computingcomputer science
A bit that is used in an error detection procedure in which a 0 or 1 is added to each group of bits so that it will have either an odd number of 1's or an even number of 1's; e.g., if the parity is odd then any group of bits that arrives with an even number of 1's must contain an error
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
This meaning: A bit (binary digit) used to indicate whether the number of bits in a given set with value of one is even or odd. Parity bits are used as a simple error detection code.
Used this way, parity bit is a specialist word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. This is a computing use: it carries a fixed technical meaning inside software and systems work.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Clinical and technical
- Usage feel
- Technical and specialized
Where it naturally appears
- Technology
- Technical/specialist writing
- Business/professional
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.