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

Because they were robbed at cursor point. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

The app works with virtually any Mac app that supports a text cursor. —Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 6 June 2026

The most tangible example is the Magic Pointer, a re-imagining of the cursor. —Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

The Indianapolis Grand Prix was the pre-cursor for the Indianapolis 500. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 May 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