Interested in learning about the acronym PC? We can help! Read on as we explore this popular term to uncover the meaning of PC and its origin.

PC is an commonly used acronym today — but what does it mean? What does PC stand for, and how can we use it in a sentence?

If you’re looking for an explanation of the term PC, keep reading. In this guide, we’ll provide you with the definition of PC, example sentences, and more. By the end of this article, you should have a clear understanding of what PC means and feel comfortable using it in your daily life.

Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

What Does PC Mean?

According to the Collins Dictionary, PC is the abbreviation for Personal Computer and refers to a multi-purpose microcomputer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use.

In other words, a PC is a digital computer designed for use by only one person.

In contrast to high-performance computers that are often reserved for tech-savvy specialists, PCs are intended for an individual end user and typically run on commercial operating systems (OS) and commercial software applications in addition to freeware and open-source software.

The Brief History of Personal Computers

Believe it or not, compact computers that were inexpensive and small enough to be purchased for home use only became feasible about 50 years ago.

Back in the 1970s, PCs got their start when large-scale integration made it possible to construct a sufficiently powerful microprocessor on a single semiconductor chip.

The first PC — known as the Altair — to enter the market was developed in 1974 by a small firm called MITS. Using Intel Corporation’s 8080 microprocessor, this tiny but mighty personal computer quickly became a huge hit. That said, its commercial appeal was pretty limited.

A few years later, in 1977, the personal computer industry saw a major uptick in interest among consumers with the introduction of three preassembled PCs:

The Apple Computer, Inc. (now Apple Inc.)
Apple II, the Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80
The Commodore Business Machines’ Personal Electronic Transactor (PET)

At the time, these popular personal computers relied on eight-bit microprocessors and possessed rather limited memory capacity. Still, because they came with a much cheaper price tag than mainframe computers, PCs were all the rage.

In 2000, more than 50 percent of all U.S. households owned a PC, and by 2018, more than three-quarters of all Americans had either a desktop or laptop.

Examples of PC in a Sentence

Now that you understand that PC stands for personal computer, it’s time to practice using the acronym in a sentence. To help, we’re put together several examples for you to review below:

The application software on my PC has been running really slow, so I may need to do an update.

The software applications on my PC, or small digital computer, could use an update.

Many professionals, such as doctors, dentists, engineers, and lawyers, rely on a PC for work.

Do you use a laptop computer as your PC or do you prefer tablet computers?

If you’re shopping the PC market, I suggest a desktop computer from Hewlett and Packard.

My first personal computer was a Lenovo.

I printed the spreadsheets off my PC this morning; could you please grab it off the printer?

Tablet PC operating systems make it easier than ever to access information quickly.

I don’t have a Mac; my personal computer is an HP.

Does PC Stand for Anything Else?

Although the term PC is most commonly known as “personal computer,” the acronym does have a few other meanings. For instance, when used as an adjective, the acronym PC can stand for politically correct.

What does politically correct mean, you ask?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, someone who is politically correct believes that potentially offensive language and actions — especially those relating to race and sex — should be avoided. In other words, if you’re PC, you likely take great care in ensuring that your actions and words don’t offend others.

Examples of Politically Correct in a Sentence

Here are a few examples of politically correct in a sentence:

In today’s politically correct society, crude jokes are best avoided.

Former President Donald Trump got booted from Twitter because he was anything but PC.

You don’t need to be so PC in our family Facebook group chat.

Other Meanings of PC

In addition to “personal computer” and “politically correct,” the acronym PC can also stand for the following:

Professional Corporation
Pretty Cool
Postal Code
Phone Call
Per Capita
Production Company
Personal Communications
Prostate Cancer
Peace Corps
Program Control
Paper Clip
Player Character
Probable Cause
Pretty Cheap
Pocket Computer
Passenger Car
Prince Charming
Pony Club
Pork Chops
Pretty Cute

A Final Word

PC is an acronym that can mean a number of different things; however, it’s most commonly used when referring to a personal computer. PC is also widely known as politically correct — a term used to refer to language that seems to give the least amount of offense.

Whether you use PC when referring to your minicomputer or prefer to use the acronym in regards to being politically correct, we hope this guide has provided you with all that you need to comfortably use the abbreviation in your everyday life.

Sources:

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.