thumb drive

noun

: a small usually rectangular device used for storing and transferring computer data : flash drive

Examples of thumb drive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Once clear, the groups installed malware by removing the hard drive and installing the software directly, replacing the hard drive with one preloaded with Ploutus, or connecting an external device, such as a thumb drive, to deploy the malware. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026 Both Green and Granick said Microsoft could have users install a key on a piece of hardware like a thumb drive, which would act as a backup or recovery key. Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 Videos on a thumb drive from the Norwell Home Goods store for Jan. 2 and Jan. 4 admitted into evidence. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 9 Dec. 2025 The Department of Justice said Bedra mailed a thumb drive containing 64 videos of monkey torture to an unnamed co-conspirator in Wisconsin. Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thumb drive

Word History

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thumb drive was in 2002

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Cite this Entry

“Thumb drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumb%20drive. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

thumb drive

noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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