download

1 of 2

noun

down·​load ˈdau̇n-ˌlōd 

computers

: an act or instance of transferring something (such as data or files) from a usually large computer to the memory of another device (such as a smaller computer) : an act or instance of downloading (see download entry 2) something

faster downloads

also : the item downloaded

two downloads

download

2 of 2

verb

downloaded; downloading; downloads

transitive verb

computers

: to transfer (data, files, etc.) from one location (such as a large computer or the cloud) to another (such as a smaller computer, smartphone, or storage device)

download the files onto your computer

downloading songs from the Internet

downloadable

ˈdau̇n-ˌlō-də-bəl 

adjective

Examples of download in a Sentence

Noun

The modem is capable of high-speed downloads.

The download will take about three minutes.

The program is available for download at the company's website.

The downloads are all in this folder.

Verb

He downloaded the files onto his computer.

She downloads songs from the Internet.

The new program makes downloading faster.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The album’s first-week sales were aided by its availability across six vinyl variants (including one signed), four CD variants (one signed) and a standard digital download album (all with the same tracklist). —Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 9 Nov. 2025

This can block phishing attempts, malicious downloads, and fake investment platforms designed to steal your data. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025

Verb

Click the link below to download — you will be prompted to log in or create an account to access the poster. —Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 15 Nov. 2025

The second incident, announced in July 2024, involved certain customer call and text records being illegally downloaded from an AT&T workspace hosted on a third-party cloud platform. —Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for download

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad

Kids Definition

download

1 of 2 noun

down·​load ˈdau̇n-ˌlōd 

: an act or instance of transferring data from a usually large computer to the memory of another device (as a smaller computer)

download

2 of 2 verb

down·​load

: to transfer (data) from one location (as a large computer to another smaller computer or storage device)

downloadable

-ˌlōd-ə-bəl 

adjective