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

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