screen saver

American  

Also screensaver

noun

Computers.

1. a program that displays a constantly shifting pattern on a screen when the computer is idle, originally used to prevent damage to the screen through continuous display of the same image but now used primarily for decoration.

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Example Sentences

Rosner’s imagery is abstract and often looks like the computer graphics you might choose for a screen saver, but better, brilliantly colored and alive.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2025

The scoreboard might as well have switched to a screen saver.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 28, 2025

Much of his current research uses digital stimuli of nature, such as a screen saver, to test a person’s emotions.

From Washington Post • Apr. 13, 2023

You can buy a third-party screen saver program that offers that feature, along with many other.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 14, 2023

Mother’s computer was on, the screen saver casting a green light over the living room.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover