screensaver
n.n. a moving image or pattern that appears on a computer screen when you are not using it. It was originally made to stop old screens from getting damaged by staying on one image too long.
n. a computer program that replaces a static display with moving images or patterns after a period of user inactivity. Originally designed to prevent phosphor burn-in on cathode ray tube monitors, it is now primarily used for security, privacy, or aesthetic purposes.
I chose a screensaver that shows photos of my last vacation.
The office security policy requires a password-protected screensaver to activate after five minutes of inactivity.
While modern liquid crystal displays do not suffer from the same permanent image retention as older hardware, many users still employ a screensaver for its decorative or nostalgic appeal.
A compound formed from the noun screen and the agent noun saver. The term describes the original technical function of the software, which was to prevent permanent damage to cathode-ray tube monitors.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often used as a compound noun; can also function as a modifier in phrases like 'screensaver settings'.
Last updated July 22, 2026