a method for detecting errors in data communications or within a computer system by counting the number of ones or zeros per byte or per word, including a special check bit (parity bit) to see if the value is even or odd.
a check made of computer data to ensure that the total number of bits of value 1 (or 0) in each unit of information remains odd or even after transfer between a peripheral device and the memory or vice versa
parity bit in Technology
storage, communications An extra bit added to a byte or word to reveal errors. See parity. (1996-03-01)