Definition

A unit used to measure how fast a computer can perform calculations, specifically one billion floating-point operations every second.

Example

The new supercomputer can achieve speeds of over a hundred gigaflops.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new computer that can handle a thousand gigaflops?

Wow, that's incredible! I didn't think we were that advanced yet.

I know, right? It makes you wonder what they'll come up with next.

For sure! Imagine how fast we could process data with that kind of speed.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gigaflop is formed from "giga-" (from Greek "gigas", meaning giant) and "flop" (an acronym for "floating point operations per second"). The term refers to a measure of computer performance, specifically indicating one billion floating point operations per second.

Memory Tip

Think of 'giga-' meaning giant, which helps you remember that a gigaflop represents a giant number of operations — one billion — performed by a computer in a second.

Visually Confused Words