desk·top
ˈdesk-ˌtäp 
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
: of a size that can be conveniently used on a desk or table
desktop computers
compare laptop see also desktop publishing
Examples of desktop in a Sentence
Noun
The desktop was covered with books and stacks of papers.
He created a new folder on his desktop.
Adjective
She is working on a desktop video project.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nolan Garrett, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Shopping on mobile devices is planned to hit an all-time high, driving 52.5 percent of online sales (versus desktop shopping) at $12.5 billion.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 7 July 2025
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2025
Just like the desktop Firefly app, creators will have the flexibility to choose between using Adobe’s commercially safe Firefly models or partner models from Google and OpenAI, depending on their creative needs for Text to Image, Text to Video and Image to Video.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for desktop
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
SMBs often expect a tactical provider to give strategic insight or a security provider to also deliver excellent desktop support.
—Nolan Garrett, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Shopping on mobile devices is planned to hit an all-time high, driving 52.5 percent of online sales (versus desktop shopping) at $12.5 billion.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 7 July 2025
Adjective
For mobile users, Mark Zuckerberg’s rival platform Threads has been gaining ground against X.
But in terms of web visits, which come from desktop computers, X still far outranks Threads, SimilarWeb's data shows.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2025
Just like the desktop Firefly app, creators will have the flexibility to choose between using Adobe’s commercially safe Firefly models or partner models from Google and OpenAI, depending on their creative needs for Text to Image, Text to Video and Image to Video.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for desktop
Cite this Entry
“Desktop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desktop. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desktop
1 of 2 noun
desk·top
ˈdesk-ˌtäp
1
a
: the top of a desk
b
: an area on a computer screen in which items are arranged as if on top of a desk
2
: a desktop computer
desktop
2 of 2 adjective
: of a size that is suitable for use on a desk or table
a desktop computer
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share