desktop

American  

[desk-top] / ˈdɛskˌtɒp /

adjective

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

   a desktop calendar.

---

noun

desktops plural

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• desktops
  plural

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

The report says it included “an in-depth desktop review of all documentation” and a phone interview with McClain—and no visit to look at cattle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Eventually, there will be 30 laptop models and about 10 desktop models using the new chips, developed from Nvidia’s graphics-processing unit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 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 artificial-intelligence engineers that costs $4,699, but the upcoming announcement may be for reasonably-priced PCs.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Luckily, her eyes travel to my desktop background.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott