desktop
Americanadjective
noun
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the surface of a desk.
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Computers.
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Also called desktop computer. a computer that is not portable, often consisting of a CPU, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
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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.
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noun
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the main screen display on a personal computer, from which windows may be opened and programs run
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(modifier) denoting a computer system, esp for word processing, that is small enough to use at a desk
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of desktop
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.
Vocabulary lists containing desktop
Computer Science and Technology - Introductory
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Computer Science and Technology - Middle School
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Computer Science and Technology - High School
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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.
Desktop agents are still at an early research stage and come with a huge number of risks, including data deletion and exfiltration.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
Released in mid-January, Claude Cowork is an agentic tool built directly into the Claude Desktop app that can autonomously access local files.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026
The company also said users would no longer be able to record meetings with the Limitless Desktop app or Limitless Web app, and that it was sunsetting its Rewind app.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025
The original poster, who was using Drive for Desktop on Windows, says none of the fixes suggested by Google so far have worked.
From BBC • Nov. 28, 2023
Graphics are very important for Desktop Publishers—writers of newsletters, businesses that prepare their own brochures, and small printshops.
From Email 101 by Goodwin, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
