What does PC stand for? In everyday use the letters mean personal computer, a desktop or laptop meant for one person to use at home, school or work. In tech talk and gaming, "PC" usually points to a desktop or laptop as opposed to a game console, a tablet or a phone.
The same two letters have several other common meanings. After a lawyer's name, PC means professional corporation. In a police report it can mean probable cause. In a debate about language, it means politically correct. A table further down sorts them by setting.
Quick facts
Main meaning
Personal computerIn law and business
Professional corporation; probable cause; penal codeIn social talk
Politically correctIn games
Player characterType
Initialism, said P CLowercase pc
Piece, as in a 12 pc setPlural
PCs
What does PC stand for in computers?
A personal computer is a general purpose machine made for one user at a time. The term spread in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when small computers first became cheap enough for homes and offices. Before that, computers were large shared machines in labs and company basements.
Today PC covers desktops, laptops and all in one machines. People still use the word in a narrower way too: shoppers sometimes use PC for computers from the many makers who share one common operating system, as opposed to a single company's own line, and "PC gaming" means playing on a computer rather than a console. Parts you will hear about include the CPU, the GPU and RAM. See more in the tech acronyms section.
PC meanings by field
| Field | Stands for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Personal computer | "I built a new PC for school." |
| Business, law firms | Professional corporation | "Lee and Ortiz, PC" |
| Criminal law | Probable cause | "Officer had PC for the search." |
| State law | Penal code | "Charged under PC 459" |
| Social debate | Politically correct | "That joke is not very PC." |
| Role playing games | Player character | "Each PC starts with three skills." |
| Shopping, packing | Piece (pc or pcs) | "24 pc tool kit" |
What does PC stand for in law and business?
A professional corporation is a business form some states offer to licensed professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, dentists and accountants. You will see PC, or P.C., after the firm name on a sign or letterhead. It works much like other corporations, but the owners usually must hold the license for the service the firm offers. It is a cousin of the LLC and the PLLC.
On a letterhead: "Rivera Family Law, P.C." This tells you the practice is set up as a professional corporation under state law, not that it does anything with computers.
In criminal law, probable cause is the legal standard that police need for most arrests and search warrants: facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime happened. Some states also label their criminal statutes as the penal code, written PC with a section number.
PC as politically correct
Politically correct describes language or actions that try to avoid offending groups of people. The phrase is used in different ways. Some people use it to describe careful, respectful wording. Others use it to criticize rules on speech they see as too strict. "Not very PC" often means a remark might offend someone. Because the tone depends on the speaker, it helps to read the whole sentence before deciding what is meant.
How to write PC
- Use capitals, PC, for most meanings. Firm names may write P.C. with periods.
- The plural is PCs, with no apostrophe.
- Use "a" before it: a PC, a PC game. The first sound is "pee," a consonant.
- Lowercase pc or pcs on a package means pieces, so a 50 pc puzzle has 50 pieces.
Since you say each letter, PC is an initialism rather than a word acronym. The differences are laid out in acronym vs abbreviation.
Quick tips for picking the right meaning
- A computer store, a game or a tech help desk: personal computer.
- A name of a law, medical or dental office: professional corporation.
- A police report, court paper or crime show: probable cause or penal code.
- An opinion piece or a talk show: politically correct.
- A tabletop game group: player character, the hero a player controls, as opposed to an NPC.
Questions people ask
What does PC stand for in law?
It can mean professional corporation, a business form for licensed firms, or probable cause, the standard for arrests and warrants. In some states it also refers to the penal code.
What does PC stand for in business?
After a company name it usually means professional corporation. Lawyers, doctors and accountants often form one under state law.
What does PC mean in texting?
It usually means politically correct, or simply personal computer. Read the rest of the message to tell which one the sender means.
Is a laptop a PC?
Yes. A laptop is a personal computer. When people say PC gaming, a gaming laptop counts just as much as a desktop.
What is the difference between PC and NPC in games?
A PC, or player character, is controlled by a player. An NPC, or non-player character, is run by the game or the game master.