disk
gb/dˈɪsk/ us/dˈɪsk/
A2
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Flat round data storage medium
A flat round thing that keeps computer or music data.
Usage pattern:
[someone] inserts [a disk] into [a device]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'disk' with 'desk' because they sound similar, but 'desk' is furniture and 'disk' is a storage object.
Synonyms
disc (Alternative spelling, more common in British English and for music/video media)
Collocations
hard disk
|compact disk
|insert a disk
|disk drive
|backup disk
Themes
technology
|computers
|communication
Examples
- I saved the files to a portable hard disk.
- The technician replaced the damaged disk in my laptop.
- She inserted the game disk into the console.
Learner examples
- I put the disk in the computer.
- This disk has many songs.
- He uses a disk to save his work.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
2
Flat circular part in biology or machines
A flat round part in a body or machine.
Usage pattern:
[something] has [a disk]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'disk' with 'disc' spelling; both are acceptable but 'disc' is more common in medical contexts.
Synonyms
plate (Similar shape but not necessarily circular or used in same contexts)
Collocations
slipped disk
|herniated disk
|brake disk
|spinal disk
Themes
biology
|engineering
|body
|technology
Examples
- He suffered from a slipped disk in his lower back.
- The mechanic replaced the worn brake disk.
- The X-ray showed damage to one of her spinal disks.
Learner examples
- My father has a bad disk in his back.
- The car needs a new brake disk.
- The doctor says my disk is hurt.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
Flat round astronomical shape
A big flat round shape in space, like a galaxy.
Synonyms
ring (Similar in astronomy but usually hollow center)
Collocations
galactic disk
|accretion disk
|stellar disk
Themes
astronomy
|space
|science
Examples
- The Milky Way appears as a thin stellar disk from certain angles.
- An accretion disk forms around a black hole.
- The planet's rings form a bright disk when viewed from above.
Learner examples
- The galaxy looks like a big disk.
- A black hole can have a hot disk around it.
- The rings make a disk shape.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disk
IPA
GB/dˈɪsk/
US/dˈɪsk/
Syllables & stress
disk (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (disk)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: disk
- Plural: disks
Word family
Expressions
burn a disk
1/bˈɚn ə dˈɪsk/
fixed phrase
Record data onto an optical disk
To put music or data onto a CD or DVD using a computer.
Examples
- I need to burn a disk with these photos before we leave.
- He burned a backup disk of all his documents.
hard disk drive
1/hˈɑɹd dˈɪsk dɹˈaɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
Computer device for storing data
A part of a computer that keeps all the data on a hard disk.
Examples
- My computer's hard disk drive has 1 terabyte of storage.
- He installed a new hard disk drive to speed up his PC.
slipped disk
1/slˈɪpt dˈɪsk/
fixed phrase
Spinal injury from moved disk
A back problem when one of the soft disks between the bones moves and hurts.
Examples
- She has been off work due to a slipped disk.
- A slipped disk can cause severe back pain.