Ctrl-Alt-Del

American

[kuhn-trohl-awlt-di-leet] / kənˈtroʊlˈɔlt dɪˈlit /

Computers.

Also Ctrl-Alt-Delete a combination of three keys on a PC keyboard, usually labeled Ctrl, Alt, and Delete, held down simultaneously in order to close an application that is not responding, reboot the computer, log in, etc.

Etymology

First recorded in 1980–85

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

Through fiddling with it, I’ve learned that if I hit Ctrl-Alt-Del, it will respond, give me the password field and I can log on.

From Seattle Times

Sick and tired of CTRL-ALT-DEL.

From Washington Post

The urge to hit CTRL-ALT-DEL and see what happens is powerful.

From New York Times

If we all hit ctrl-alt-del simultaneously and pray, perhaps we can force 2016 to reboot.

From Time

What's needed is a full reset, ctrl-alt-del, with no guarantees.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023