hard disk

noun

: a rigid metal disk coated with a magnetic material on which data for a computer can be stored
also : hard drive

Examples of hard disk in a Sentence

Remember to save the file to your hard disk.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lightroom doesn’t show your hard disk folders in its left panel. — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 2 June 2026 Since hard disks only have a five-year life span, the old hard disks will need to be discarded for new ones to retain the same data. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 Aug. 2023 Using a solid-state drive over a hard disk drive can drastically increase the speed of your laptop, so choose accordingly. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026 In fact, Sankar’s research indicates that hard disk drives, or HDDs, are in shorter supply than NAND. — Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard disk

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard disk was in 1973

Rhymes for hard disk

See All Rhymes for hard disk

Browse Nearby Words

hard currency
hard disk
hard done by
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hard disk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard%20disk. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hard disk

noun
1
: a small hard metal disk with a magnetic coating on which computer data can be stored
2
: hard drive

More from Merriam-Webster on hard disk

Nglish: Translation of hard disk for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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