progress bar

American

[prog-res bahr, prog-ruhs] / ˈprɒg rɛs ˌbɑr, ˈprɒg rəs /

noun

Digital Technology.

a graphical element that illustrates the percentage of a computer task that is complete.

The progress bar stopped moving when the program was about halfway downloaded.

Etymology

Origin of progress bar

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

See Examples For:

progress bar

It resonates more with the progress bar instead of the buffering icon.

From Slate ● Apr. 4, 2026

As Stephen Buffardi was transferring photos to his new phone, the progress bar reached halfway - then it crashed.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2025

If the progress bar for the update appears stuck or paused, don’t unplug your Apple TV.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 14, 2021

When she pinged for data, all she got was a menu of old movies, a selection of single-player games, and a whirring progress bar showing progress on her indictment: 12 percent complete.

From The Verge ● Feb. 6, 2019

A little progress bar blinks in the corner of my vision while I run one of my hacks on him.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023