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

Origin of Ctrl-Alt-Del

First recorded in 1980–85

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.

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 • Jan. 8, 2022

Both our hot-wired PC and laptop freeze up frequently, and when we press Ctrl-Alt-Del we see that iexplore.exe has large volume in one or several locations.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2013

Possibly one step beyond. • ..a microphone, volume buttons, USB port, home key, Ctrl-Alt-Del key-- Whoa there.

From The Guardian • Sep. 23, 2010

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