virtualization

noun

vir·​tu·​al·​i·​za·​tion ˌvər-chə-wə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce virtualization (audio)
ˌvər-chə-lə-
ˌvərch-wə-lə-
computing
: the process of creating a virtual version of something (such as an operating system or server) that mimics physical hardware functionality
Virtualization … allows a computer to share its hardware resources with multiple digitally separated environments.Amazon Web Services
virtualize
ˈvər-chə-wə-ˌlīz
ˈvər-chə-ˌlīz
ˈvərch-wə-ˌlīz
transitive verb
virtualized; virtualizing; virtualizes

Examples of virtualization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Broadcom's 2023 acquisition of VMware fundamentally altered the enterprise virtualization market. Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 HostColor reports using Proxmox VE, VMware ESXi and other enterprise virtualization technologies. Nia Bowers, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026 Available as bare metal or cloud-based servers, they can be configured with the Microsoft Windows operating system, a Linux distribution, or enterprise virtualization technology such as Proxmox VE or VMware ESXi. Nia Bowers, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026 If Inherent Vice lamented the fading of the 60s, and Bleeding Edge charted the virtualization of the present, Shadow Ticket seems to weep for history itself. Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025 More Reasons To Upgrade Windows 11 Pro introduces Snap Layouts and virtual desktops to organize your workflow, Hyper-V for virtualization, Windows Sandbox for safe testing, and Microsoft’s Copilot assistant for quick help with writing, editing, and system navigatio. PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025 This could benefit the lightweight virtualization apps like VirtualBuddy and Viable that mostly exist to provide a front end for the Virtualization framework, as well as virtualization apps like Parallels that offer support for Windows. ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025 Investors also want to see additional traction in Broadcom’s software business, led by virtualization software provider VMWare. Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of virtualization was in 1973

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Virtualization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtualization. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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