desktop

noun desk·top \ ˈdesk-ˌtäp \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of desktop

1 : the top surface of a desk; also : an area or window on a computer screen in which icons are arranged in a manner analogous to objects on top of a desk

2 : a desktop computer

See desktop defined for English-language learners

See desktop defined for kids

Examples of desktop in a Sentence

The desktop was covered with books and stacks of papers.
He created a new folder on his desktop.

Recent Examples of desktop from the Web

A few years ago, when more people started searching through their phones and tablets than on desktop computers, Google changed its algorithm to give higher rankings to sites that display well on a mobile device.

— david meyer, Fortune, "Google Search Takes Another Big Step Towards a Mobile-First World," 28 Mar. 2018
Uber's lawyer countered that days later, Levandowski's desktop computer was wiped clean of data in a move that was routine when an employee left Google.

— marco della cava, USA TODAY, "Uber ex-CEO Kalanick defends deal at heart of lawsuit with Google," 6 Feb. 2018
Bridge crossers could generate about 170 million joules per day, which could run 65 laptops or more than 600 tablets for a day, keep a desktop computer running for three weeks straight or fully charge 5,000 smartphones.

— terry gardner, latimes.com, "How travelers to California's most popular landmarks could create electricity while they walk," 20 Mar. 2018
Holmes was trying to create something real and useful, a blood-testing machine that would be able to run hundreds of different tests on a machine roughly the size of a desktop computer, using much smaller samples of blood than a traditional machine.

— kevin roose, New York Times, "Kevin’s Week in Tech: Theranos, Fraud and the Failure to Fail," 16 Mar. 2018
Inspired by the teacher's story, NIIT Ghana, a computer training school based in Accra, donated five desktop computers to the school, along with books and a laptop for Akoto.

— gianluca mezzofiore, CNN, "Donors give computers to Ghana school where teacher taught computer tech on a blackboard," 15 Mar. 2018
Surrounded by fans and cosplayers, with thousands watching on their phones, laptops and desktops, four teams of esports competitors battled in February for video game supremacy from their screens on an Arizona State University stage in Tempe.

— tristan ettleman, azcentral, "No sweat in esports, but plenty of mental rigor, cosplay fans and money," 14 Mar. 2018
All told, there are 69 laptops and desktops on sale today.

— mark hachman, PCWorld, "Microsoft knocks a stunning 31.4% off Pi Day laptop deals," 14 Mar. 2018
Gurka said administrators and North Royalton police can see live feeds from school security cameras on their desktop computers, tablets and smartphones.

— bob sandrick, cleveland.com, "North Royalton schools will seek additional security training in aftermath of mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School," 13 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'desktop.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of desktop

1925

desktop

adjective

Definition of desktop

: of a size that can be conveniently used on a desk or table

desktop computers

— compare laptop — see also desktop publishing

See desktop defined for English-language learners

Examples of desktop in a Sentence

She is working on a desktop video project.

Recent Examples of desktop from the Web

There will be a desktop computer set up for demonstration.

— carol kovach, cleveland.com, "Concert, reception mark beginning of St. Clarence Parish's 40th anniversary: A Place in the Sun," 30 Oct. 2017
Starting on Monday, Apple (aapl, -1.03%) customers who ask Siri for information on a mobile or desktop device will get results returned from Google, news site Techcrunch reported.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "How Google Is Beating Microsoft Bing on the iPhone," 25 Sep. 2017
Clicks on ads were up 52% in the quarter from a year earlier, but revenue per click fell 23% as ads within its fastest-growing segments—mobile and YouTube—command lower rates than desktop search ads.

— lara o’reilly, WSJ, "CMO Today: Google Earnings; TV Ratings for YouTube and Hulu Bundles; Michael Kors Buys Jimmy Choo," 25 July 2017
Remitly’s mobile and desktop transfer system offers a more efficient and affordable way for foreign workers in the U.S. to send money, or remittances, back to their home countries.

— audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "Update: Boise-born entrepreneur lands $115 million investment to expand international business | Idaho Statesman," 15 Aug. 2016
The company’s technology is focused on digital identity verification, including mobile and desktop software.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego's Mitek buying computer vision technology firm for $15M," 17 Oct. 2017
Initially, the ads will run only on mobile, not desktop devices.

— barb darrow, Fortune, "Get Ready for Video Ads on Your LinkedIn News Feed," 12 Oct. 2017
For more desktop computer deals, visit the TechBargains site.

— ars staff, Ars Technica, "Dealmaster: Get a Dell 2-in-1 laptop with a 512GB SSD for $765," 2 Oct. 2017
Long a popular feature on desktop devices, the ability to jack up the speed of videos is coming to the mobile app.

— jefferson graham, USA TODAY, "YouTube updates app, desktop experience," 29 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of desktop

1958

DESKTOP Defined for English Language Learners

desktop

noun

Definition of desktop for English Language Learners

: the top surface of a desk
: a computer that is designed to be used on a desk or table : a desktop computer
: an area or window on a computer screen in which small pictures (called icons) are arranged like objects on top of a desk