Clock speed refers to the rate at which a computer's central processing unit (CPU) processes instructions. It is often measured in gigahertz (GHz) and is an important metric in determining a computer's overall performance. Synonyms for clock speed include processor speed, CPU speed, and clock rate. These terms all refer to the same fundamental metric but may be used interchangeably in different contexts. Other related terms include clock cycle time or clock period, which refer to the time it takes for a CPU to complete a basic operation cycle. Higher clock speeds generally result in faster processing times and better overall performance, although there are other factors that can also impact a computer's capabilities.