forward slash

American  

[fawr-werd slash] / ˈfɔr wərd ˌslæʃ /

noun

forward slashes plural

1. a short oblique stroke (/), or slash, especially one used in computer programming or to specify an internet address or computer filename.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• forward slashes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of forward slash

First recorded in 1980–85

Compare meaning

How does forward-slash compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• backslash vs. forward slash

Example Sentences

I sometimes confuse it for a forward slash while quickly typing due to its size or hit it when I want to arrow up in a document.

From The Verge • Feb. 11, 2022

If you read many poetry reviews, you may have noticed the convention of representing a line break with a forward slash, and a stanza break with two forward slashes.

From New York Times • Dec. 29, 2020

She pulls a similar trick with code: “forward slash forward slash, angle bracket, quotation, command, dialogue, angle bracket, semicolon” become intricate, precise hand gestures under a spotlight.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2017

The new HP has decided to increase that angle to 20 degrees, which the company says "refers to the world of computing by recalling the forward slash used in programming."

From The Verge • Apr. 20, 2016

And we worked it out, using a forward slash, and even put a little example of how it would work at the front of the script.

From The Guardian • Oct. 3, 2012