disc
gb/dˈɪsk/ us/dˈɪsk/
A2
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Flat round data storage object
A flat, round thing that keeps music, videos, or computer files.
Usage pattern:
[someone] plays [something] on a disc
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'disc' with 'disk'; 'disc' is more common for music and video, 'disk' for computers.
Synonyms
disk (Alternative spelling, more common in computing contexts)
Collocations
compact disc
|burn a disc
|insert disc
|disc drive
|load disc
Themes
technology
|entertainment
|communication
Examples
- She bought the new album on compact disc.
- Please insert the disc into the drive.
- The game comes on two discs.
- He burned the photos onto a disc.
- The disc was scratched and wouldn't play.
Learner examples
- I put the disc in the player.
- This disc has my favorite songs.
- He gave me a new music disc.
- The disc is in the box.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
Spinal cushioning structure
A round, soft part between the bones in your back that helps them move and not rub together.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'disc' here with a CD or DVD; in medical contexts it refers to the spine.
Synonyms
intervertebral disc (More precise medical term)
Collocations
slipped disc
|herniated disc
|spinal disc
Themes
medicine
|anatomy
|body
|health
|science
Examples
- The MRI showed a herniated disc in his lower back.
- A slipped disc can cause severe pain.
- Intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers for the spine.
- She had surgery to repair a damaged disc.
Learner examples
- I have a problem with a disc in my back.
- The doctor says I have a slipped disc.
- A disc in my spine hurts.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Flat circular object or shape
A flat, round thing or shape.
Synonyms
plate (Similar shape but often used for eating from)
Collocations
brake disc
|throwing disc
|metal disc
Themes
geometry
|general
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The sun appeared as a fiery red disc on the horizon.
- The mechanic replaced the car's brake discs.
- She wore earrings shaped like small golden discs.
Learner examples
- The moon looks like a white disc.
- He threw the plastic disc to his friend.
- The brake disc is broken.
Grammar
Expressions
herniated disc
1/hˈɚniˌeɪtd dˈɪsk/
fixed phrase
technical
Spinal condition with protruding disc material
A health problem where part of a soft part between bones in your back pushes out and causes pain.
Examples
- The scan showed he had a herniated disc.
- She needs therapy for her herniated disc.
slipped disc
1/slˈɪpt dˈɪsk/
fixed phrase
Spinal disc displacement injury
A health problem where a soft part between bones in your back moves out of place and causes pain.
Examples
- He missed work for weeks because of a slipped disc.
- A slipped disc can make it hard to walk.
compact disc
1/kˈɑmpækt dˈɪsk/
fixed phrase
Small optical storage disc
A small round disc that stores music or data for computers and players.
Examples
- I still have my old collection of compact discs.
- I still have my old music on compact discs.
- Compact discs were popular before music streaming.
- The software comes on a compact disc.