Chip - Definition and Overview

A chip is a general term for a splinter or shard of something.

• In biology, ChIP is an abbreviation for an experimental technique, chromatin immunoprecipitation, which is used to determine whether a given protein binds to a specific DNA sequence in vivo.
• In computing, the term chip has the following meanings:
  • an integrated circuit (silicon die)
  • more specifically, a microprocessor
• In telecommunications (according to Federal Standard 1037C):
  • in satellite communications systems, the smallest element of data in an encoded signal.
  • The most elemental component of a spread spectrum signal when it is decompressed in time; that is, the longest duration signal in which signal parameters are approximately constant..
• In micrographic display systems, a relatively small and separate piece of microform that contains microimages and coded information for search, identification, and retrieval purposes.
• In food, a chip is a fried piece of potato, specifically referring to one of the following:
  • Potato chips, called Crisps in Britain and Ireland.
  • French fries, called chips in Britain and Ireland.
• In gambling, a chip is a coin-shaped token that is used to represent a monetary amount. It is often used as poker equipment (see poker chip).