Ng> UsiNg words coNtaiNiNg sixteeNbits. This adjective ofteN refers to the Number of bits used iNterNally by a computer' s CPU. E.g. "The INtel 8086 is a sixteeN bit processor". Its exterNal data bus or address bus may be Narrower. The term may also refer to the size of aN iNstructioN iN the computer' s iNstructioN set or to aNy other item of data. See also 16-bit applicatioN. (1996-05-13)