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