instruction cycle

noun

The steps that a central processing unit undertakes in order to process a single instruction, consisting of fetching, decoding, and executing the instruction in question and updating the program counter.

Similar
machine cycleexecution cyclefetch-decode-execute cyclefetch-execute cycle
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Meanings

nouninstruction cycle (plural instruction cycles)

plural instruction cycles

  1. computingThe steps that a central processing unit undertakes in order to process a single instruction, consisting of fetching, decoding, and executing the instruction in question and updating the program counter.

    Synonyms: machine cycle, execution cycle, fetch-decode-execute cycle, fetch-execute cycle

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe steps that a central processing unit undertakes in order to process a single instruction, consisting of fetching, decoding, and executing the instruction in question and updating the program counter.

Similar
machine cycleexecution cyclefetch-decode-execute cyclefetch-execute cycle
Also see
execution cyclemachine cycle
Cite this entry
APA

instruction cycle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/instruction%20cycle

MLA

“instruction cycle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/instruction%20cycle. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “instruction cycle,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/instruction%20cycle.

Source: instruction cycle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.