digitization
gb/dɪd͡ʒɪtɪzˈeɪʃən/ us/dɪd͡ʒɪtɪzˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
process
1
conversion into digital form
the process of changing paper records, pictures, sounds, or other information into a computer-readable form
Usage pattern:
digitization of [documents/data/images/records]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse digitization with digitalization in careful use: digitization is mainly converting information into digital form; digitalization is broader use of digital technology in systems or business.
Synonyms
digital conversion (clearer, more explanatory phrase for the same process)
|
scanning (applies mainly when paper documents or images are converted using a scanner)
Antonyms
analog recording (creating or keeping information in a non-digital form)
|
printout (the result of converting digital information back into a physical paper form)
Collocations
document digitization
|data digitization
|image digitization
|record digitization
|archive digitization
|mass digitization
|digitization project
|digitization process
|digitization effort
|digitization services
Themes
technology
|data
|media
|archives
|computing
Examples
- The museum began the digitization of thousands of old photographs and letters.
- Digitization has made it much easier for researchers to search historical newspapers online.
- The company hired a specialist to handle the digitization of its paper records.
Learner examples
- Digitization turns paper files into digital files.
- The library's digitization project took two years.
Noun
business
C1
process
2
move to digital systems
the change from paper or manual ways of working to computer-based or online systems
Usage pattern:
digitization of [services/processes/operations]
Common mistake:
In careful business writing, digitalization or digital transformation is often preferred for this broader meaning; digitization can sound more like converting documents or data.
Synonyms
digitalization (often the preferred term for broad adoption of digital technology)
|
digital transformation (usually suggests a larger strategic change in an organization)
Antonyms
manual processing (using people and paper-based methods rather than digital systems)
|
paper-based system (a system that relies mainly on physical documents)
Collocations
service digitization
|business digitization
|workplace digitization
|process digitization
|public-sector digitization
|healthcare digitization
|banking digitization
|rapid digitization
|accelerated digitization
|digitization strategy
Themes
technology
|business
|work
|services
|computing
Examples
- The digitization of banking has reduced the need to visit a branch in person.
- Many small businesses accelerated digitization during the pandemic.
- The government announced a plan for the digitization of public services.
Learner examples
- Digitization made many services available online.
- The office saved time through digitization.
Grammar
Dictionary form
digitization
IPA
GB/dɪd͡ʒɪtɪzˈeɪʃən/
US/dɪd͡ʒɪtɪzˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
di - git - iz - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: digitization
- Plural: digitization, digitizations
Expressions
digitization project
1/dɪd͡ʒɪtɪzˈeɪʃən pɹˈɑd͡ʒɛkt/
fixed phrase
planned digital conversion work
a planned project to turn information or services into digital form
Examples
- The city approved funding for a digitization project at the public library.
- A successful digitization project needs clear standards for file names and storage.
- The archive's digitization project will make the collection searchable online.
document digitization
1/dˈɑkjəmənt dɪd͡ʒɪtɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
business
paper documents to files
changing paper documents into computer files
Examples
- The law firm used a document digitization service to reduce storage costs.
- Document digitization helped the hospital find patient records more quickly.
- Before the move, the company completed document digitization for its finance department.
mass digitization
1/mˈæs dɪd͡ʒɪtɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
large-scale digital conversion
changing a very large number of books, records, or other materials into digital files
Examples
- The university launched a mass digitization program for rare books and manuscripts.
- Mass digitization has made millions of historical records available to the public online.
- Copyright issues can make mass digitization projects difficult.