backslash

American  

[bak-slash] / ˈbækˌslæʃ /

noun

1. a short oblique stroke (\), a backward slash, used in some computer operating systems to mark the division between a directory and a subdirectory or its folders, as in designating a path.

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backslash British  

noun

1. a slash which slopes to the left \

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Etymology

Origin of backslash

First recorded in 1975–80; back ¹ + slash ¹

Compare meaning

How does backslash compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• backslash vs. forward slash

Example Sentences

The real kicker came near the end of the convo, when I accidentally pressed a backslash and had to confront the whole suite of A.I. prompts: “/silent,” to send a message without a notification to my friend with whom I was making plans, and then a general Meta AI option, blue ring and all, available for me to “Ask questions.”

From Slate

But Jones said he was skeptical that the town hall would help CNN’s reputation in the long term, given the backslash.

From Seattle Times

The Fn key that needs to be held down is half the width of the rest of the keys, and it’s wedged between the backslash and control buttons.

From The Verge

Note the Fn key wedged between backslash and control.

From The Verge

Cambridge inhabits a mere seven square miles outside Boston, angling like a backslash into the Charles River.

From Los Angeles Times