cursor

noun

cur·​sor ˈkər-sər 

-ˌsȯr

: a movable item used to mark a position: such as

a

: a transparent slide with a line attached to a slide rule

b

: a visual cue (such as a flashing vertical line) on a video display that indicates position (as for data entry)

Examples of cursor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Weapons would fire in the direction of the mouse cursor, and targeting UI and radar were minimized to make the action the focus. —Alan Bradley, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2026

That project is active for four hours each day and requires the AI models to use a graphical interface and cursor like a human would, while Moltbook allows AI agents to interact directly with each other and the website through back-end techniques. —Jared Perlo, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026

Thankfully, one of our engineers was able to put together an excellent controller cursor that helped cover the interfaces that really need a cursor. —David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

If your trackpad is acting up, keyboard shortcuts can keep you productive without fighting the cursor. —Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin cursor "runner, courier," from currere "to run" + -tor, agent suffix — more at current entry 1

Note: For cursor as agent noun of currere in place of expected *co(r)stor see note at course entry 1. As with other Latin deverbal derivatives, the zero grade ablaut of the past participle has been generalized with all suffixes ending in -t-.

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cursor

• bursar
• mercer
• purser
• precursor

Kids Definition

cursor

noun

cur·​sor ˈkər-sər 

: a mark (as a bright blinking spot) on a computer display screen that shows the place where the user is working