DVD

American  

abbreviation

1. an optical disk that can store a very large amount of digital data, as text, music, or images.

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DVD British  

abbreviation

1. digital versatile or digital video disk: an optical disk used to store audio, video, or computer data, esp feature films for home viewing

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DVD Scientific  

/ dē′vē-dē′ /

1. A compact disk designed to store large amounts of data, especially high-resolution audio-visual material.

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DVD Cultural  

1. An abbreviation for d igital v ersatile d isc or d igital v ideo d isc. A DVD is a high-capacity disc storage system. It is often preferred to move videotapes for its superior sound and video quality.

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Etymology

Origin of DVD

1990–95; originally d(igital) v(ideo) d(isk) ; then d(igital) v(ersatile) d(isk) ; now an abbreviation only

Example Sentences

A few days later, there were more posts: Guitarist Tony Rice, taken from an instructional DVD.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

It can even clock what time of day you’re watching, as well as the obscure Criterion print you’re spinning in your not-smart DVD player.

From Slate • May 3, 2026

The device has since become the backbone of hundreds of applications, including bar-code scanners and DVD players, and is essential for high-speed telecommunications, robotic manufacturing and precision surgery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

At the moment of its commercial death, VHS was giving way to the advent of a “new flesh” for home viewing: DVD.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

That DVD would send Bryce into an instant trance, and we watched it so often that I happily memorized every word of it.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden