file
1a folder, cabinet, or other container in which papers, letters, etc., are arranged in convenient order for storage or reference.
a collection of papers, records, etc., arranged in convenient order: to make a file for a new account.
Computers. a collection of related data or program records stored on some input/output or auxiliary storage medium: This program's main purpose is to update the customer master file.
a line of persons or things arranged one behind another (distinguished from rank1 def. 10).
Military.
a person in front of or behind another in a military formation.
one step on a promotion list.
one of the vertical lines of squares on a chessboard.
a list or roll.
a string or wire on which papers are strung for preservation and reference.
to place in a file.
to arrange (papers, records, etc.) in convenient order for storage or reference.
Journalism.
to arrange (copy) in the proper order for transmittal by wire.
to transmit (copy), as by wire or telephone: He filed copy from Madrid all through the war.
to march in a file or line, one after another, as soldiers: The parade filed past endlessly.
to make application: to file for a civil-service job.
Idioms about file
on file, arranged in order for convenient reference; in a file: The names are on file in the office.
Origin of file
1Other words for file
Other words from file
- file·a·ble, adjective
- filer, noun
- non·fil·er, noun
Words that may be confused with file
- file , phial
Words Nearby file
Other definitions for file (2 of 4)
a long, narrow tool of steel or other metal having a series of ridges or points on its surfaces for reducing or smoothing surfaces of metal, wood, etc.
a small, similar tool for trimming and cleaning fingernails; nail file.
British Slang. a cunning, shrewd, or artful person.
to reduce, smooth, or remove with or as if with a file.
Origin of file
2Other words from file
- file·a·ble, adjective
- filer, noun
Other definitions for file (3 of 4)
to defile; corrupt.
Origin of file
3Other definitions for filé (4 of 4)
a powder made from the ground leaves of the sassafras tree, used as a thickener and to impart a pungent taste to soups, gumbos, and other dishes.
Origin of filé
4- Also called filé powder .
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use file in a sentence
Prosecutors said the ransomware used an increasingly popular new tactic that not only encrypts a victim’s files but also exfiltrates the data to the hacker’s servers.
Elon Musk confirms Tesla was target of foiled ransomware attack | Kirsten Korosec | August 28, 2020 | TechCrunchRossi moved out in 2016 and filed for divorce the following year.
The Mystery House: How a Suspicious Multimillion Dollar Real Estate Deal Is Connected to California’s Deadliest Fire | by Scott Morris, Bay City News Foundation | August 26, 2020 | ProPublicaShe told the judge the employee who was previously responsible for filing the court cases was no longer with the authority.
She Was Sued Over Rent She Didn’t Owe. It Took Seven Court Dates to Prove She Was Right. | by Danielle Ohl, Capital Gazette, and Talia Buford and Beena Raghavendran, ProPublica | August 25, 2020 | ProPublicaOn Sunday, Microsoft’s general manager for gaming developer experience, Kevin Gammill, filed a declaration of support for Epic’s motion for a temporary restraining order against Apple.
Publishers could soon have more leverage to force Apple to relax its ‘my way or the highway’ approach | Lara O'Reilly | August 25, 2020 | DigidayThe San Francisco-based startup filed paperwork for the listing Monday.
Asana files for direct listing amid slew of software IPOs | Verne Kopytoff | August 24, 2020 | Fortune
Did he go to the authorities to file a report against the Guerreros Unidos drug cartel?
Did the airline file a flight plan that took account of the weather en route from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore?
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501 | Clive Irving | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWith 3D printing you can continue to use the file and update.
3-D Printing Is Changing the Future of Prosthetics | Lucy Vernasco | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAsked what kind of support he got from rank-and-file Democrats, he paused before replying with a hearty laugh.
Repubs Should Take It From Kucinich: Impeachment Isn’t Worth It | Eleanor Clift | December 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShe also told TMZ that she plans to file a civil suit against Cosby.
Bill Cosby’s Long List of Accusers (So Far): 18 Alleged Sexual Assault Victims Between 1965-2004 | Marlow Stern | November 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAs each company front formed the knees of the rank and file seemed to give way.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonIf Wee Willie Winkie took an interest in anyone, the fortunate man was envied alike by the mess and the rank and file.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard KiplingNot for twenty necklaces and a whole file of hieroglyphic passes would she doubt Frank any more.
The Red Year | Louis TracyThe sides of the notch were steep, and the boys rode through it in single file, Matt taking the lead.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run | Stanley R. MatthewsAt random, I select four names from the printed list, and the new jurors file into the box.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Alexander Berkman
British Dictionary definitions for file (1 of 3)
/ (faɪl) /
a folder, box, etc, used to keep documents or other items in order
the documents, etc, kept in this way
documents or information about a specific subject, person, etc: we have a file on every known thief
an orderly line or row
a line of people in marching formation, one behind another: Compare rank 1 (def. 6)
any of the eight vertical rows of squares on a chessboard
computing a named collection of information, in the form of text, programs, graphics, etc, held on a permanent storage device such as a magnetic disk
obsolete a list or catalogue
Canadian a group of problems or responsibilities, esp in government, associated with a particular topic: the environment file
on file recorded or catalogued for reference, as in a file
to place (a document, letter, etc) in a file
(tr) to put on record, esp to place (a legal document) on public or official record; register
(tr) to bring (a suit, esp a divorce suit) in a court of law
(tr) to submit (copy) to a newspaper or news agency
(intr) to march or walk in a file or files: the ants filed down the hill
Origin of file
1Derived forms of file
- filer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for file (2 of 3)
/ (faɪl) /
a hand tool consisting essentially of a steel blade with small cutting teeth on some or all of its faces. It is used for shaping or smoothing metal, wood, etc
rare, British slang a cunning or deceitful person
(tr) to shape or smooth (a surface) with a file
Origin of file
2Derived forms of file
- filer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for file (3 of 3)
/ (faɪl) /
(tr) obsolete to pollute or defile
Origin of file
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for file
[ fīl ]
A collection of related data or program records stored as a unit with a single name. Files are the basic units that a computer works with in storing and retrieving data.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with file
see in single file; on file; rank and file.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse