desk·top
ˈdesk-ˌtäp 
1
: the top surface of a desk
also
: an area or window on a computer screen in which icons are arranged in a manner analogous to objects on top of a desk
2
: a desktop computer
: of a size that can be conveniently used on a desk or table
desktop computers
compare laptop see also desktop publishing
Examples of desktop in a Sentence
Noun
The desktop was covered with books and stacks of papers.
He created a new folder on his desktop.
Adjective
She is working on a desktop video project.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Whether starting on a phone, confirming on a desktop or checking updates on a smartwatch, the experience stays consistent and smooth.
—Maulikkumar Pandya, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2025
Just like the desktop Firefly app, creators will have the flexibility to choose between using Adobe’s commercially safe Firefly models or partner models from Google and OpenAI, depending on their creative needs for Text to Image, Text to Video and Image to Video.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for desktop
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Noun
Microsoft has pulled back on some of its Surface hardware efforts since the departure of Panos Panay in 2023, discontinuing the Surface Studio laptop and desktop and focusing mostly on the Surface Pro tablet and the Surface Laptop series.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Whether starting on a phone, confirming on a desktop or checking updates on a smartwatch, the experience stays consistent and smooth.
—Maulikkumar Pandya, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
For mobile users, Mark Zuckerberg’s rival platform Threads has been gaining ground against X.
But in terms of web visits, which come from desktop computers, X still far outranks Threads, SimilarWeb's data shows.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2025
Just like the desktop Firefly app, creators will have the flexibility to choose between using Adobe’s commercially safe Firefly models or partner models from Google and OpenAI, depending on their creative needs for Text to Image, Text to Video and Image to Video.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for desktop
Cite this Entry
“Desktop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desktop. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desktop
1 of 2 noun
desk·top
ˈdesk-ˌtäp
1
a
: the top of a desk
b
: an area on a computer screen in which items are arranged as if on top of a desk
2
: a desktop computer
desktop
2 of 2 adjective
: of a size that is suitable for use on a desk or table
a desktop computer
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