digital

adjective dig·i·tal \ ˈdi-jə-tᵊl \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of digital

1 :of or relating to the fingers or toes

digital dexterity

2 :done with a finger

a digital rectal examination

3 :of, relating to, or using calculation by numerical methods or by discrete units

4 :composed of data in the form of especially binary digits

digital images/photos

a digital readout

a digital broadcast [=a broadcast employing digital communications signals]

— compare analog 2

5 :providing a readout in numerical digits

a digital voltmeter

a digital watch/clock

6 :relating to an audio recording method in which sound waves are represented digitally (as on magnetic tape) so that in the recording wow and flutter are eliminated and background noise is reduced

7 :electronic

digital devices/technology

; also :characterized by electronic and especially computerized technology

the digital age

In an electronically driven work-place, managers pinpoint information overload as the inescapable downside to … life in the digital world.
—David Bottoms

—

digitally

play \ˈdi-jə-tᵊl-ē\ adverb

See digital defined for English-language learners

See digital defined for kids

Examples of digital in a Sentence

You can transfer digital images from your camera to your computer.
a digital recording of a sound
In this new digital age, computers and the Internet are part of our everyday lives.

Recent Examples of digital from the Web

Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

— jane wester, charlotteobserver, "CMPD’s response to Trump restoring access to military gear? No thanks.," 30 Aug. 2017
The building’s digital signage simplifies the changeovers, but some decorations, such as banners, will be added for the college games, Jenkins said.

— tim tucker, ajc, "200,000 fans for three games over five days will test Mercedes-Benz Stadium," 30 Aug. 2017
Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

— alex daugherty, miamiherald, "Florida Democrats urge state lawmakers to remove Confederate statue in U.S. Capitol," 30 Aug. 2017
Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Bride-to-be calls out personal trainer for fat-shaming her ahead of her wedding," 30 Aug. 2017
Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "This Fort Worth foster pet outfit led the rescue effort for 108 animals near Baytown," 30 Aug. 2017
Hollywood’s grand tradition of nepotism has become, like most things, more transparent in the digital age.

— allie jones, The Cut, "The Celebrity Children Who Dominate Our World Now," 29 Aug. 2017
About two years ago, Jackie Faherty, a staff scientist at the American Museum of Natural History, decided to update Tombaugh’s technique for the digital age.

— jesse emspak, Smithsonian, "Astronomy Needs You: To Help in the Hunt for Planet 9," 28 Aug. 2017
This feature-rich stainless steel countertop oven comes with a backlit digital display for selecting from 10 preset functions: toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, proof, air fry, reheat, cookies, slow cook and dehydrate.

— the good housekeeping institute, Good Housekeeping, "Breville the Smart Oven Air #BOV900," 26 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of digital

Latin digitalis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Computer-Related Terms

adware, flash, kludge, phishing, recursive, router

DIGITAL Defined for English Language Learners

digital

adjective

Definition of digital for English Language Learners

: showing the time with numbers instead of with hour and minute hands
: of or relating to information that is stored in the form of the numbers 0 and 1
: using or characterized by computer technology