virtual
adjective
vir·tu·al
ˈvər-chə-wəl 
-chəl;
ˈvərch-wəl
1
: being such in essence or effect though not formally recognized or admitted
a virtual dictator
2
: being on or simulated on a computer or computer network
print or virtual books
a virtual keyboard
: such as
a
: occurring or existing primarily online
virtual shopping
b
: of, relating to, or existing within a virtual reality
a virtual tour
3
: of, relating to, or using virtual memory
4
: of, relating to, or being a hypothetical particle whose existence is inferred from indirect evidence
virtual photons
compare real sense 3
Examples of virtual in a Sentence
The website provides a virtual tour of the stadium.
Recent Examples on the Web
By pairing battery banks with digital twins—virtual maps that let a country manage its power grid in real time—a nation can anticipate changes in load and inject power from domestic sources in milliseconds.
—
Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Verstappen was familiar with the Nürburgring after taking part in a series of shorter races in recent months to add to his years of virtual experience from realistic online simulator races.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Possible red flags may reportedly include using a virtual office, using certain commercial addresses, operating a suspicious website or using an email address that raises concerns.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
More than 900 people signed up for virtual public meetings about the project conducted by the utility earlier this month.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for virtual
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Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Verstappen was familiar with the Nürburgring after taking part in a series of shorter races in recent months to add to his years of virtual experience from realistic online simulator races.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Possible red flags may reportedly include using a virtual office, using certain commercial addresses, operating a suspicious website or using an email address that raises concerns.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
More than 900 people signed up for virtual public meetings about the project conducted by the utility earlier this month.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for virtual
Cite this Entry
“Virtual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtual. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
virtual
adjective
vir·tu·al
ˈvərch-(ə-)wəl
ˈvər-chəl
1
: being in effect but not in fact or name
a virtual dictator
2
: being on or simulated on a computer or computer network
a virtual classroom
virtually
adverb
-ē
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