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 How to pronounce virtualization (audio)
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.
Fischer says work on its next-gen NASA lunar rover is proving the vast bandwidth of virtualization and simulation tools. IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2026 Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s (HPE) new virtualization software promotion will likely pique the interest of end users and resellers who are unhappy with Broadcom’s pricing of VMware. Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 16 June 2026 The company launched new AI inference and virtualization services on its cloud platform with Red Hat to help enterprises scale artificial intelligence and modernize IT systems. Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 22 May 2026 BitLocker device encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, Windows Sandbox, biometric login support, and Smart App Control all help improve security and flexibility, especially for people using their PCs for work, freelancing, development, or business tasks. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 22 May 2026 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

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 22 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster