folder

American  

[fohl-der] / ˈfoʊl dər /

noun

1. a person or thing that folds.

2. a printed sheet, as a circular or timetable, folded into a number of usually pagelike sections.

3. a folded sheet of light cardboard used to cover or hold papers, letters, etc., as in a file.

4. Computers. directory.

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folder British  

/ ˈfəʊldə /

noun

1. a binder or file for holding loose papers, etc

2. a folded circular

3. a machine for folding printed sheets

4. a person or thing that folds

5. computing another name for directory

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Etymology

Origin of folder

First recorded in 1545–55; fold ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Instead of chatting with Claude, users can point it at a folder on their computer and give it an objective.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a small office, behind a desk piled high with folders, sat Etta.

From Literature

Sullivan—a gruff Irish-Catholic variety-show host who could make or break careers—dropped a folder on the table, a dossier of FBI and press clippings, and asked bluntly:

From The Wall Street Journal

A stack of folders tumbles to the floor.

From Literature

If you have multiple returns you’re working on — for yourself and your working teens, for instance, or for your elderly parents — you might need multiple folders.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• binder
• file
• pocket