download

American  

[doun-lohd] / ˈdaʊnˌloʊd /

verb (used with object)

1. to transfer (software, data, character sets, etc.) from a distant to a nearby computer, from a larger to a smaller computer, or from a computer to a peripheral device.

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noun

1. software, data, etc., that has been downloaded.

   the best free music downloads.

2. the act or process of downloading.

download British  

/ ˈdaʊnˌləʊd /

verb

1. to copy or transfer (data or a program) into the memory of one computer system from a larger one

2. to broadcast specialist programmes, for such groups as doctors, outside normal broadcasting hours. They are often recorded on video tapes and viewed later Compare upload

3. to delegate or assign (work, responsibilities, costs, etc) to a someone at a lower level of an organization; off-load

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noun

1. a file transferred onto a computer from another computer or the internet

download Scientific  

/ doun′lōd′ /

1. To transfer data or programs from a server or host computer to one's own computer or digital device.

2. Compare upload

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Other Word Forms

• downloadable adjective

Etymology

Origin of download

down ¹ + load

Example Sentences

"In order to download the CV, you have to pay. So I did that, and I just thought it was a one-off thing."

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Except this time, the company posted to GitHub a type of file that linked back to the source code that outsiders could download and interpret.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

But interest rapidly faded; by February the download pace had fallen to just over 1 million, according to market researchers.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

"So when you download software, when an SME uses the cloud, when a freelancer sells a design service abroad, there are no taxes at the border," she said.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

With the download, I would’ve had other stories.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Related Words

• load
• log in