defragment

American  

[dee-frag-muhnt, -ment] / diˈfræg mənt, -mɛnt /

verb (used with object)

Computers.

1. 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.

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defragment Scientific  

/ dĭ-frăg′mənt /

1. To reorganize the way information is stored on a computer disk so that all of the information belonging to a file is stored in a single, contiguous area the disk.

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Other Word Forms

• defragmentation noun
• defragmenter noun

Etymology

Origin of defragment

First recorded in 1980–85; de- + fragment

Example Sentences

Under Optimize and defragment drive, click on Optimize.

From Fox News

You can also defragment, eliminate malware, and even reinstall Windows.

From Fox News

All the strange anomalies — the issue with his arm, and the dialogue echoes between Ford and Emily — are symptoms of his brain trying to sort out the various memories and defragment itself, much like Bernard did during his interrogation in episode 7.

From The Verge

Q. Do you still have to defragment the hard-disk drive on a Windows 8.1 computer to keep it from running slow?

From New York Times

Choose Search on the Charms menu, type in “defragment” and select “Defragment and optimize your drives.”

From New York Times