Word
USB
Phoneticsusb
/ˈjuˈɛsˈbi/
Definition
n. A small device that you plug into a computer to store or move files.
n. A portable flash memory storage device that connects via a built-in plug. Often used metonymically to refer to the physical drive itself.
Examples
“I need to plug my phone into the USB port.”
“The technician suggested using a USB cable to transfer the large video files directly to the external drive.”
“While wireless standards have become more prevalent, the reliability and speed of a physical USB connection remain essential for high-fidelity audio interfaces and professional data management.”
Examples
simple
“I need to plug my phone into the USB port.”
contextual
“The technician suggested using a USB cable to transfer the large video files directly to the external drive.”
complex
“While wireless standards have become more prevalent, the reliability and speed of a physical USB connection remain essential for high-fidelity audio interfaces and professional data management.”
Usage
In informal speech, people often drop 'drive' or 'stick' and just say 'a USB'.
Teaching tip
While technically an abbreviation for the bus standard, in casual English it is very common to hear this used as a countable noun for the storage device.
Synonyms
Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/usb