touch pad
noun
: a keypad for an electronic device (such as a microwave oven) that consists of a flat surface divided into several differently marked areas which are touched to choose options
Examples of touch pad in a Sentence
Press the start button on the touch pad.
Recent Examples on the Web
It can be controlled by speaking aloud, tapping a touch pad or projecting a laser display onto the palm of a hand.
—
Photographs and Videos By Kelsey McClellan, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
There was no starting beep or automatic touch pads or accepted electronic timing or replays, as there are in major swimming competitions now.
—Frank Litsky, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2023
There looks to be one touch pad on the right controller — by comparison, the Steam Deck has touch pads on both sides — but the back of that right controller also apparently has a wheel.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 17 Aug. 2023
In the first phase of the project, kids and visitors to the Field Museum tried their hands at community science — contributing to scientific discoveries not as scientists but as regular citizens — by measuring the tiny leaves of certain plants on a touch pad.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2022
Podcast host Brian Craig (@BrianCraigShow) offered a similar response and suggested touch pad ordering will be coming soon.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 19 May 2021
BlendTec Classic 570 Blender for $200 ($79 off): This three-speed blender has a touch pad with programmed Smoothie and Hot settings, along with a pulse button.
—Wired Staff, Wired, 6 June 2020
The IdeaPad Pro 5i will also feature a 25% larger touch pad, a full HD infrared camera, and an expandable SSD storage slot.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 20 Dec. 2022
Some have two suites, one for elderly parents to age-in-place, as well as steam shower areas with touch pad controls for a TV and a freestanding tub that delivers light, heat and water wellness therapies.
—oregonlive, 4 Aug. 2021
See More
Photographs and Videos By Kelsey McClellan, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
There was no starting beep or automatic touch pads or accepted electronic timing or replays, as there are in major swimming competitions now.
—Frank Litsky, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2023
There looks to be one touch pad on the right controller — by comparison, the Steam Deck has touch pads on both sides — but the back of that right controller also apparently has a wheel.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 17 Aug. 2023
In the first phase of the project, kids and visitors to the Field Museum tried their hands at community science — contributing to scientific discoveries not as scientists but as regular citizens — by measuring the tiny leaves of certain plants on a touch pad.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2022
Podcast host Brian Craig (@BrianCraigShow) offered a similar response and suggested touch pad ordering will be coming soon.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 19 May 2021
BlendTec Classic 570 Blender for $200 ($79 off): This three-speed blender has a touch pad with programmed Smoothie and Hot settings, along with a pulse button.
—Wired Staff, Wired, 6 June 2020
The IdeaPad Pro 5i will also feature a 25% larger touch pad, a full HD infrared camera, and an expandable SSD storage slot.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 20 Dec. 2022
Some have two suites, one for elderly parents to age-in-place, as well as steam shower areas with touch pad controls for a TV and a freestanding tub that delivers light, heat and water wellness therapies.
—oregonlive, 4 Aug. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'touch pad.' 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
1974, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near touch pad
Cite this Entry
“Touch pad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touch%20pad. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
touch pad
noun
: a keypad for an electronic device (as a microwave oven) that consists of a flat surface divided into several differently marked areas which are touched to choose options
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