desktop

American  

[desk-top] / ˈdɛskˌtɒp /

adjective

1. small or compact enough to fit or be used on a desk.

   a desktop calendar.

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noun

1. the surface of a desk.

2. Computers.

   1. Also called desktop computer.  a computer that is not portable, often consisting of a CPU, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

   2. the primary display screen of a graphical user interface, on which various icons represent files, groups of files, programs, or the like, which can be moved, accessed, added to, put away, or thrown away in ways analogous to the handling of file folders, documents, notes, etc., on a real desk.

desktop British  

/ ˈdɛskˌtɒp /

noun

1. the main screen display on a personal computer, from which windows may be opened and programs run

2. (modifier) denoting a computer system, esp for word processing, that is small enough to use at a desk

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Etymology

Origin of desktop

First recorded in 1925–30; desk + top ¹

Explanation

A desktop is the surface of a desk, the part you use for writing or resting your laptop on. Particularly tidy people might need to clean the entire desktop before getting any work done. Your literal desktop — the top or surface of your desk — inspired the name for your computer desktop, the home screen on which you organize icons representing your files. When you're using a computer, you generally start from your desktop, opening windows or clicking on a file. When desktop is used as an adjective, it typically means "meant to be kept and used on your desk," like a desktop computer or a desktop scanner.

Example Sentences

On the other side are the companies that buy that memory and build it into things they sell: game consoles, phones, laptops and the components inside a desktop computer.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

The new superchip will power a line of laptops and desktop computers with 24-hour battery life available to purchase from this fall from ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft and MSI.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

Nvidia already sells the DGX Spark, a desktop workstation for AI engineers that costs $4,699, but the new chip will be aimed at consumer devices, although likely at the premium end of the market.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

She is now worried this means she won't even be able to run a pop-up under the new rules, calling the process "desktop analysis" and claiming no-one from the council visited the site.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

"Why not decorate your desktop with a school bus made from a brick!"

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris