Universal serial bus (USB),

Definition of Universal serial bus (USB):

1. An international specification for a device to interconnect computers, peripherals, game consoles, etc., using a set of simple plugs, sockets, and lightweight cables; a connector that conforms to this specification; abbreviated USB.

2. Non-proprietary standard for a 12-megabit bus that replaces parallel ports, serial ports, and ports for keyboard, modem, mouse, game controls, speakers, etc. It uses a only 15-millimeter wide connector, can connect up to 63 devices in a daisy-chain or star topology, and offers plug-and-play and hot attach/detach capabilities. USB standard was proposed in 1993 jointly by Compaq, Digital, IBM, Microsoft, NEC, and Northern Telecom. See also Firewire.