defrag

American

[dee-frag] / diˈfræg /

verb (used with object)

defragged, defragging

to reorganize files on (ahard disk drive ) so that the parts of each file are stored in contiguous sectors on the disk, thereby improving computer performance and maximizing disk space.

defrag British

/ ˈdiːfræɡ /

verb

to consolidate fragmented files and folders on (the hard drive of a computer or other electronic device) in order to make it run more efficiently

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of defrag

First recorded in 1985–90; short for defragment ( def. )

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.

See Examples For:

defragging

It’s a dialog-driven mystery broken up by defragging puzzles, and its neon-infused look is bound to appeal to anyone who grew up on PC games of the 1980s and ’90s.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 10, 2023

I have checked for malware and viruses, and have checked for possible defragging the drives.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 26, 2016

My father told him, “This is dinner together. That means family networking and defragging time.”

From "Feed" by M.T. Anderson

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