# lazy loading

CEFR C1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lazy-loading
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

a way of making a website or app faster by only loading images or videos when you actually scroll down to see them. This saves data and helps the page open more quickly.

For teachers: a design pattern in software development that defers the initialization of an object or resource until the point at which it is needed. In web development, it specifically refers to delaying the loading of non-critical resources (like images) until they enter the viewport.

## Examples

- The website uses lazy loading to make the homepage open faster.
- By implementing lazy loading for the gallery, the developer reduced the initial page weight by several megabytes, significantly improving the mobile user experience.
- While lazy loading enhances initial performance metrics, developers must ensure that placeholder elements maintain the page layout to prevent jarring shifts in content as the high-resolution assets eventually populate.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in technical and web development contexts; often functions as a compound noun or a gerund phrase.

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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.