disk

noun, often attributive \ ˈdisk \

variants: or disc

Definition of disk

1 a :the seemingly flat figure of a celestial body

the solar disk

b archaic :discus

2 :any of various rounded and flattened animal anatomical structures; especially :intervertebral disk — compare slipped disk

3 :the central part of the flower head of a typical composite made up of closely packed tubular flowers

4 :a thin circular object: such as

a usually disc :a phonograph record

b :a round flat plate coated with a magnetic substance on which data for a computer is stored

c usually disc :optical disk: such as

(1) :videodisc

(2) :cd

5 usually disc :one of the concave circular steel tools with sharpened edge making up the working part of a disc harrow or plow; also :an implement employing such tools

—

disklike

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective

See disk defined for kids

Recent Examples of disk from the Web

Downstate the entire disk of the sun is to be covered by the moon.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Lessons are a shot in the dark," 18 Aug. 2017
Fortunate timing On July 7, Otter underwent back surgery at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise to treat a bulging disk.

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "As Idaho’s cowboy governor ages, experts say his surgeries carry more risks," 18 Aug. 2017
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon covers 100 percent of the sun's central disk.

— karen brainard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Solar eclipse occurs first day of school," 16 Aug. 2017
On this late afternoon, the sun appears initially as a white disk on the observing table.

— joel achenbach, Washington Post, "As the sun makes a star turn, America’s greatest observatory carries on," 11 Aug. 2017
Add a second disk of pound cake to each glass and spoon on 2 T syrup.

— daniel boulud, ELLE Decor, "3 Timeless French Recipes From France's Most Admired Chefs," 9 Aug. 2017
A disk jockey and a secretary became their hostages.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "Arthur Lewis, convicted of 1974 Montgomery radio station shootout, dies," 8 Aug. 2017
The same was true in Singapore in July 2016, when the local exchange suspended stock trading because of a hard disk failure.

— ameya karve, Bloomberg.com, "Dual-Listed Stocks an Accidental Insurance for India's Glitches," 16 July 2017
Gov. Butch Otter underwent surgery to address a bulging disk in his back on July 7, according to his office spokesman.

— ruth brown, idahostatesman, "Idaho Gov. Otter undergoes 2 back surgeries," 14 July 2017

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