ORage> A fundamental unit of stORage in a computer. The size of a wORd in a particular computer architecture is one of its chief distinguishing characteristics. The size of a wORd is usually the same as the width of the computer' s data bus so it is possible to read OR write a wORd in a single operation. An instruction is usually one OR mORe wORds long and a wORd can be used to hold a whole number of characters. These days, this nearly always means a whole number of bytes (eight bits), most often 32 OR 64 bits. In the past when six bit character sets were used, a wORd might be a multiple of six bits, e.g. 24 bits (four characters) in the ICL 1900 series. (1994-11-11)