Word
Definition
n. a unit for measuring computer storage, equal to about one billion bytes. You use it to talk about file sizes or how much space a phone holds.
n. a unit of digital information equal to 10^9 bytes in decimal usage, or 2^30 bytes in binary usage. Commonly abbreviated GB and used to quantify memory, storage capacity, and file size.
Examples
“The new phone has 128 gigabytes of storage.”
“Each movie download uses about two gigabytes, so she checks her data plan before travelling.”
“Although marketed as 500 gigabytes, the drive offers slightly less usable space once formatting and system files claim their share.”
Examples
simple
“The new phone has 128 gigabytes of storage.”
contextual
“Each movie download uses about two gigabytes, so she checks her data plan before travelling.”
complex
“Although marketed as 500 gigabytes, the drive offers slightly less usable space once formatting and system files claim their share.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “gigabyte” in context.
Verb
01. gigabyte remains
“Only one gigabyte remains on my USB stick.”
noun + verb
02. need gigabyte
“You need two gigabytes of free space to update the app.”
verb + noun
03. save gigabyte
“Deleting old photos can save several gigabytes of storage.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. available gigabyte
“I have only one available gigabyte left on my tablet.”
adj + noun
05. extra gigabyte
“I need one extra gigabyte to install the new game.”
adj + noun
06. free gigabyte
“You get one free gigabyte of cloud storage with this phone.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. gigabyte of data
“The film uses about two gigabytes of data.”
noun + prep + noun
08. gigabyte of memory
“This laptop has 16 gigabytes of memory.”
noun + prep + noun
09. gigabyte of storage
“My new phone has 128 gigabytes of storage.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a few gigabytes of data
“Streaming films every day uses a few gigabytes of data.”
11. need an extra gigabyte
“I need an extra gigabyte to download this update.”
12. only one gigabyte left
“I have only one gigabyte left on my phone.”
Usage
Commonly abbreviated as GB.
Etymology
From giga- + byte.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/gigabyte
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR