Definition

Noun: 1. A core communication protocol of the internet: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a fundamental set of rules that enables reliable data delivery between applications on networked devices. It ensures data sent from one point arrives correctly and in order at its destination.

Usage

TCP is a technical term used in computing and networking. It is almost always used as a proper noun (TCP) and is often paired with IP (Internet Protocol) as "TCP/IP," which is the foundational suite for internet communication. * The web browser uses TCP to reliably load the complete webpage. * TCP guarantees that all data packets arrive without errors. * Email and file transfer services rely on the TCP protocol.

Advanced Usage

• TCP connection: Refers to the established link between two applications for data exchange. "The server terminated the TCP connection."
• TCP segment: Refers to a unit of data formatted by the TCP protocol for transmission. "Each TCP segment contains a header for control information."
• TCP handshake: The three-step process (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK) used to establish a reliable connection. "A TCP handshake must complete before secure data transfer can begin."

Variants and Related Words

• TCP/IP (noun): The combined suite of protocols; TCP handles reliable data streams, while IP handles addressing and routing. "The entire internet operates on the TCP/IP model."
• Transmission Control Protocol (noun): The full name for TCP.

Synonyms

• Reliable transport protocol (general term)

Related Phrases

• TCP port: A virtual endpoint for specific services or applications within a device (e.g., port 80 for HTTP). "The application listens for requests on TCP port 8080."
• TCP stream: The continuous, ordered flow of data delivered by the protocol. "The video player reads data from the TCP stream."

Noun

1. a protocol developed for the internet to get data from one network device to another
   • TCP uses a retransmission strategy to insure that data will not be lost in transmission