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command line

American  
[kuh-mand lahyn] / kəˈmænd ˌlaɪn /

noun

Computers.
  1. an interface by which the user types in instructions to be carried out instantly by the operating system or other program.


Etymology

Origin of command line

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Microsoft is a planning to make its Windows Terminal the default command line experience in Windows 11 next year.

From The Verge • Dec. 15, 2021

Additionally, it revealed a simple command line that CIA officials used to launch attacks that compromised Macs and hack network switches from Cisco.

From Salon • Jun. 17, 2020

Start with the basics of the command line, plus a programming language such as Python or R, whichever is more important to your field, he says.

From Nature • Jan. 12, 2020

I asked them to set it in a monospaced, sans serif font, like a command line, and the production people did the rest.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2019

In all three cases, exit the mail program to return to your host system's command line.

From Big Dummy's Guide to the Internet by Electronic Frontier Foundation