help desk

noun

plural help desks

: a department or person that provides assistance and information usually for electronic or computer problems

Adding a work account is easier than it used to be, but if you're a technophobe, or if your company requires special security settings, call your help desk.

—Jeremy Caplan

—often hyphenated when used before another noun

help-desk questions

Pleas to reset forgotten passwords account for half of help-desk calls to Web sites, says RSA Security.

—Victoria Murphy Barret

Examples of help desk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Call for help at the Caregiver Action Network's help desk at 855-227-3640 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET) or AARP’s resource line at 1-877-333-5885. —Kat McGowan, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025

Jubair and other unnamed conspirators allegedly contacted company help desks and convinced representatives to reset other users’ passwords multiple times in addition to allegedly running password cracking software. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025

Heroes for Humanity, launched in 2021 with a catalytic gift from SP Hinduja Bank Privée, hires and trains trusted local residents to deliver screenings, run help desks, lead health and hygiene sessions, and coach neighbors into livelihood pathways. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

For more information, visit the DHS' immunizations webpage or contact their help desk at 608-266-9691. —Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 3 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for help desk

• burlesque
• grotesque
• arabesque
• picaresque
• romanesque
• statuesque
• carnivalesque

Kids Definition

help desk

noun

: a department or person that provides help or information usually for electronic or computer problems