Standard Lemma guide

endianness

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The property of being either big-endian or little-endian.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • When reading and writing data a byte at a time, it is necessary to know the endianness of the computer you are working on.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English endian Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English endianness From endian + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 位元組順序 /位元组顺序 (wai6 jyun4 zou2 seon6 zeoi6) — the property of being either big-endian or little-endian
  • Chinese Mandarin: 字節序 /字节序 (zìjiéxù) — the property of being either big-endian or little-endian
  • Chinese Mandarin: 字節順序 /字节顺序 (zìjié shùnxù) — the property of being either big-endian or little-endian
  • Chinese Mandarin: 位元組順序 /位元组顺序 (wèiyuánzǔ shùnxù) — the property of being either big-endian or little-endian
  • Czech: endianita — the property of being either big-endian or little-endian
  • Finnish: tavujärjestys — the property of being either big-endian or little-endian
  • Polish: kolejność bajtów — the property of being either big-endian or little-endian