screen saver

American  

Also screensaver

noun

Computers.

1. a program that displays a constantly shifting pattern on a screen when the computer is idle, originally used to prevent damage to the screen through continuous display of the same image but now used primarily for decoration.

---

Example Sentences

The scoreboard might as well have switched to a screen saver.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 28, 2025

Apart from that, the broadcast was watchable, like a handsome screen saver, without being interesting in any of the ways the announcer or producers promised.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2024

Much of his current research uses digital stimuli of nature, such as a screen saver, to test a person’s emotions.

From Washington Post • Apr. 13, 2023

Q: I recall one could opt to have the file name displayed along with the picture being shown in the screen saver.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 14, 2023

Mother’s computer was on, the screen saver casting a green light over the living room.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover