dig·i·tal
ˈdi-jə-tᵊl 
1
: of, relating to, or utilizing devices constructed or working by the methods or principles of electronics : electronic
digital devices/technology
also
: characterized by electronic and especially computerized technology
the digital age
In an electronically driven work-place, managers pinpoint information overload as the inescapable downside to … life in the digital world. —
David Bottoms
David Bottoms 2
: composed of data in the form of especially binary digits (see digit sense 1b)
digital images/photos
a digital readout
a digital broadcast [=a broadcast employing digital communications signals]
compare analog sense 1
3
: providing a readout in numerical digits
a digital voltmeter
a digital watch/clock
4
5
: of, relating to, or using calculation by numerical methods or by discrete units
6
: of or relating to the fingers or toes
digital dexterity
7
: done with a finger
a digital rectal examination
plural digitals
1
a
: media (such as a photograph) in a digital format
This writer spent a frightfully snowy day stumbling around a snow-covered lawn among the downpour of snowflake clusters. Something black and cold became an impromptu netting device to capture digitals of individual snowflakes.—Alan Daugherty
Alan Daugherty
b
: digital media as an industry or sector of an industry
… radio advertising was up 6.8%, TV advertising was up 9.4%, and digital was up 16.8%.—News Bites US Markets
News Bites US Markets2
: something (such as a device) characterized or operated by digital technology
Unlike analog quartz watches, which had a conventional dial and hands, digitals were totally electronic, with no moving parts at all.—Joe Thompson
Joe ThompsonThe analog thermometers usually register from 0ºF to 220ºF and cost about $12; the digitals register from -58ºF to 302ºF and go for around $15.—Dorie Greenspan
Dorie Greenspan3
: a finger or toe
… critical ischemia of the digitals of upper and lower limbs …—Nadjib Schahab et al.
Nadjib Schahab et al.
also
: an artery or nerve that supplies the fingers or toes
… the doctor reported that ulnar palmar and radial palmar digitals' decreased sensation had a maximum upper extremity impairment of 9 percent … —US Fed News
US Fed News 
Examples of digital in a Sentence
Adjective
You can transfer digital images from your camera to your computer.
a digital recording of a sound
In this new digital age, computers and the Internet are part of our everyday lives.
Recent Examples on the WebJay Valle, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Of course, they’re not literally getting coated in a layer of dirt and dead skin cells (yes, that’s what dust is), but digital files do take up space.
—Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
Model and artist Karen Elson posed with Alexa Chung, the digital arbiter of taste.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2023
In science-speak, this is thanks to its digital motor and an axial flow impeller, which together can push out 13 liters of air per second.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
Packed inside are original poster designs in addition to digital codes for every movie.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023
Of that sum, physical sales comprise 17,500 (with 15,000 on vinyl and 2,500 on CD) and digital album sales comprise 7,500.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2023
As Hollywood explores the potential of LED displays as an alternative to digital cinema projection, sound has remained a stubborn obstacle.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2023
In: Powerball Caitlin O'Kane Caitlin O'Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023
Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Aug. 2023
Tavernier was previously global head of digital at Fremantle. .
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 July 2023
Tavernier was previously global head of digital at Fremantle, managing director of a multi-channel YouTube network, and CEO of media intervention NGO, Girl Effect.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 July 2023
The film was shot with a mix of digital and 16mm, with Diaz shooting part of it in the fire belt in villages covered with ashes right after one of the last eruption.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 5 July 2023
Analog photography was the de facto standard in the early 90s for a simple reason: the convenience of digital hadn't yet fully arrived.
—Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 5 July 2023
Sellers and buyers in digital do not own or control shares in consumer companies or in agencies—the analogy is just all wrong.
—David Doty, Forbes, 4 May 2023
All artwork is juried and ranges from oil, watercolor, mixed media, digital and photography to glasswork, woodworking, jewelry and pottery.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2023
The result is the transformation of a 170-year-old clothing business into a 21st Century digital, data, and AI leader.
—Randy Bean, Forbes, 19 May 2022
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Adjective
Jay Valle Jay Valle reports and produces digital content for NBC Out.
—Jay Valle, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Of course, they’re not literally getting coated in a layer of dirt and dead skin cells (yes, that’s what dust is), but digital files do take up space.
—Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
Model and artist Karen Elson posed with Alexa Chung, the digital arbiter of taste.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2023
In science-speak, this is thanks to its digital motor and an axial flow impeller, which together can push out 13 liters of air per second.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
Packed inside are original poster designs in addition to digital codes for every movie.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023
Of that sum, physical sales comprise 17,500 (with 15,000 on vinyl and 2,500 on CD) and digital album sales comprise 7,500.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2023
As Hollywood explores the potential of LED displays as an alternative to digital cinema projection, sound has remained a stubborn obstacle.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2023
In: Powerball Caitlin O'Kane Caitlin O'Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023
Noun
The result of that idea is The Beast of Bower Boulevard, a three-part comic debuting on digital this week that Parson’s funded in part via Kickstarter.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Aug. 2023
Tavernier was previously global head of digital at Fremantle. .
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 July 2023
Tavernier was previously global head of digital at Fremantle, managing director of a multi-channel YouTube network, and CEO of media intervention NGO, Girl Effect.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 July 2023
The film was shot with a mix of digital and 16mm, with Diaz shooting part of it in the fire belt in villages covered with ashes right after one of the last eruption.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 5 July 2023
Analog photography was the de facto standard in the early 90s for a simple reason: the convenience of digital hadn't yet fully arrived.
—Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 5 July 2023
Sellers and buyers in digital do not own or control shares in consumer companies or in agencies—the analogy is just all wrong.
—David Doty, Forbes, 4 May 2023
All artwork is juried and ranges from oil, watercolor, mixed media, digital and photography to glasswork, woodworking, jewelry and pottery.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2023
The result is the transformation of a 170-year-old clothing business into a 21st Century digital, data, and AI leader.
—Randy Bean, Forbes, 19 May 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'digital.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English digitalle "(of a whole number) less than ten," borrowed from Latin digitālis "measuring a finger's breadth," from digitus "finger, toe, finger's breadth as a measure" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at digit
Noun
derivative of digital entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5
Noun
1822, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Time Traveler
The first known use of digital was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing digital
Dictionary Entries Near digital
Cite this Entry
“Digital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digital. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
digital
adjective
dig·i·tal
ˈdij-ət-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or done with a finger or toe
2
: of, relating to, or using calculation directly with digits rather than through measurable physical quantities
3
: of or relating to data in the form of numerical digits
digital images
digital broadcasting
4
: providing displayed or recorded information in numerical digits
a digital watch
5
: characterized by electronic and computerized technology
living in a digital world
Medical Definition
digital
1 of 2 adjective
dig·i·tal
ˈdij-ət-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or supplying one or more fingers or toes
a digital branch of an artery
2
: done with a finger
a digital rectal examination
digital
2 of 2 noun
: a finger or toe
… critical ischemia of the digitals of upper and lower limbs …—Nadjib Schahab et al., Journal of Vascular Medicine and Surgery
Nadjib Schahab et al., Journal of Vascular Medicine and Surgery
also
: an artery or nerve that supplies the fingers or toes
… the doctor reported that ulnar palmar and radial palmar digitals' decreased sensation had a maximum upper extremity impairment of 9 percent … —US Fed News
US Fed News
More from Merriam-Webster on digital
Nglish: Translation of digital for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of digital for Arabic Speakers
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