download

1 of 2

noun

down·​load ˈdau̇n-ˌlōd How to pronounce download (audio)
computers
: an act or instance of transferring something (such as data or files) from a usually large computer to the memory of another device (such as a smaller computer) : an act or instance of downloading (see download entry 2) something
faster downloads
also : the item downloaded
two downloads

download

2 of 2

verb

downloaded; downloading; downloads

transitive verb

computers
: to transfer (data, files, etc.) from one location (such as a large computer or the cloud) to another (such as a smaller computer, smartphone, or storage device)
download the files onto your computer
downloading songs from the Internet
downloadable adjective

Examples of download in a Sentence

Noun The modem is capable of high-speed downloads. The download will take about three minutes. The program is available for download at the company's website. The downloads are all in this folder. Verb He downloaded the files onto his computer. She downloads songs from the Internet. The new program makes downloading faster.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The only formats to record a decline in 2023 were digital downloads and what IFPI classifies as other (non-streaming) digital formats, which fell by 2.6% to $900 million, representing just 3.2% of the global market. Richard Smirke, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2024 The budget that passed with some Republican support in both the House and Senate scrapped the tax cuts and the sales tax increase, but included a digital sales tax and went a step further by extending it to software downloads purchased by businesses. Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 The Ultimate Ad-Free package includes streaming on up to four devices, 4K Ultra HD video streaming, Dolby Atmos audio when available and 100 downloads. Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2024 See Twigs' full feature in the April issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands beginning Tuesday. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 Firefox-maker Mozilla told The Verge there’s been a 50% jump in German downloads and a 30% bump in France, and Brave is also touting an increase in excess of 30%. David Meyer, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 The definition of high-speed home internet has not been updated since 2015, when the FCC set the threshold at a minimum download speed of 25 megabits per second and a minimum upload speed of 3 megabits per second. Brian Fung, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Besides vinyl, there are digital downloads for $11.99, CDs for $12.99 or cassettes for $19.99. Bryan West, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 With faster data rates, users can enjoy seamless streaming, swift downloads and low-latency connections, elevating the user experience across various applications. Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Verb
Travelers can visit this page to make reservations or download the MKE SmartPark app. Journal Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2024 Chicco downloaded the MyCadillac App to his cellphone, the lawsuit stated. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 22 Mar. 2024 The only real-world tie-in is that those who download the Wendy’s app can get a free 10-piece order of nuggets IRL. Angela L. Pagán / The Takeout, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Try downloading a meditation app like Calm or Headspace. Vicki Glembocki, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024 Payment can also be handled through Rivian’s app, meaning that customers won’t have to download the Tesla app in order to pay for their charging. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Mar. 2024 Rather than packing a suitcase full of books for your vacation, download them all to your Kindle library. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2024 The bill is the latest threat to the app, which has been downloaded 170 million times in the United States despite critics’ concerns about data security and its Chinese connections. Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Among other things, people in Europe can download iPhone apps from stores that aren’t operated by Apple and are getting alternative ways to pay for in-app transactions. Michael Liedtke, Fortune Europe, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'download.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of download was in 1975

Dictionary Entries Near download

Cite this Entry

“Download.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/download. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

download

1 of 2 noun
down·​load
ˈdau̇n-ˌlōd
: an act or instance of transferring data from a usually large computer to the memory of another device (as a smaller computer)

download

2 of 2 verb
down·​load
: to transfer (data) from one location (as a large computer to another smaller computer or storage device)
downloadable
-ˌlōd-ə-bəl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on download

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