# gigabyte

/ˈɡɪɡəˌbaɪt/ (US) · /ɡˈɪɡəbˌaɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gigabyte
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Commonly abbreviated as GB.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.