thumb drive

noun

: a small usually rectangular device used for storing and transferring computer data : flash drive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Under the new procedures announced today, highly sensitive court documents (HSDs) filed with federal courts will be accepted for filing in paper form or via a secure electronic device, such as a thumb drive, and stored in a secure stand-alone computer system. Mitchell Clark, The Verge, 7 Jan. 2021 The result was the thumb drive. IEEE Spectrum, 10 Dec. 2022 Not bad for a device the size of a thumb drive. Brad Moon, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2021 The 50-year-old from Michigan was arrested in his Moscow hotel room in 2018 with a thumb drive that Russian authorities said held classified information. Elizabeth Thompson, Dallas News, 18 Mar. 2021 Anthony used a thumb drive to exchange documents with Walker, according to the lawsuit. Dallas News, 24 June 2022 The co-worker was given an envelope containing the list and a thumb drive of video footage from Kelley’s home security camera that depicted at least one officer approaching Kelley’s home to search it earlier this year, authorities said. Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2022 Court documents say Dominguez also admitted that the Sheriff’s Office may find more images on a thumb drive in his car and gave away his phone and laptop password during the interview. Ayana Hamilton Arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2022 Dunsford snatched the thumb drive and slept with it under his pillow. David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thumb drive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thumb drive was in 2002

Dictionary Entries Near thumb drive

Cite this Entry

“Thumb drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumb%20drive. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

thumb drive

noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!