download
Verbdownloads, downloading, downloaded
Noun pluraldownloads
Formsdownloads, downloading, downloaded
Pluraldownloads
- 1To copy a file or other data onto your computer or phone from the internet.
Like getting a package delivered to your home from a store far away.
You can download the app for free from the store.
She downloaded the photos before her flight so she could look at them offline.
UsageSay download something from the internet to your phone. To send files out, say upload.
Oppositeupload
Note
- 2A file that you have copied, or plan to copy, onto your device from the internet.
All my downloads are saved in one folder on my laptop.
The download was damaged, so she deleted it and tried again.
UsagePeople say a free download, or my downloads for files saved on a device.
Oppositeupload
Note
- 3The act of copying a file onto your computer or phone from the internet.
The download took only a few seconds on the fast Wi-Fi.
He started the download and went to make coffee while it finished.
UsagePeople say a download starts, stops, or takes a long time.
Oppositeupload
- 4To put a program onto a device, often without the user choosing it.
The company downloaded new software onto every employee laptop overnight.
They will download the update to all the store's registers tonight.
UsageBetter to say install a program on a device. Download only means to get it.
Similarinstall
Oppositeuninstall
Less common meanings
- 5To copy files onto or off a memory card, disk, or USB drive.
She downloaded the photos from the camera's memory card to her laptop.
Download the photos from the memory card onto your laptop first.
Similarcopy
Note
- 6To hand a government service or property, and the job of running it, to a lower level of government.
The province downloaded road repairs onto the cities years ago.
Many towns say the province wants to download ambulance service to them without giving them more money.
UsageSay a government downloads a service onto or to the cities.
Similaroffload, devolve, transfer
Oppositeupload
Note
- 7To send a file or other data from your device to another computer over a network.
Grandma downloaded her vacation photos to the website so we could all see them.
Can you download the form to the school's server when you finish it?
UsageTo send files out, say upload. Most people hear download as getting files.
Similarupload
- 8To load a gun with less gunpowder than it was made to use.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from "down-" plus "load." The verb was first used around 1962, and the noun around 1977.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- The word comes from down- plus load. en.wiktionary.org
- The verb is first recorded around 1962. en.wiktionary.org
- The noun is first recorded around 1977. en.wiktionary.org