mb

Everyday

1. (computing) MB = megabyte: a unit of computer memory or file size, about one million bytes. tree →
2. (computing) Mb = megabit, used for internet speed (Mbps, megabits per second); 8 megabits make 1 megabyte. tree →
3. (science, weather) mb = millibar, a unit of air pressure on weather maps. tree →
4. (MB) Short for Manitoba, a province of Canada. tree →
5. MB is also used for «Bachelor of Medicine» after a doctor's name. tree →

In the lessons

In computing lessons pupils compare file sizes (KB, MB, GB): a photo is about 3 MB. In science and weather, air pressure is shown in millibars. On Canadian addresses, MB = Manitoba. Phrases: 5 MB file, 50 Mbps broadband.

Examples

• This photo is 3 MB. tree →
• The file is too big to email; it is 40 MB. tree →
• Our broadband speed is 70 Mbps. tree →
• 1,000 MB is about 1 GB. tree →
• The weather map shows 1,000 mb of pressure. tree →
• Winnipeg, MB, is in Canada. tree →
• A song is usually about 4 MB. tree →

Note

Not a word, only an abbreviation. Capital B = byte, small b = bit: MB (megabyte) is 8 times bigger than Mb (megabit). In maths and computing problems, 1 GB ≈ 1,000 MB; 1 MB ≈ 1,000 KB (some computers use 1,024).