virtualization

noun

vir·​tu·​al·​i·​za·​tion ˌvər-chə-wə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce virtualization (audio)
ˌvər-chə-lə-
ˌvərch-wə-lə-
computing
: the process of creating a virtual version of something (such as an operating system or server) that mimics physical hardware functionality
Virtualization … allows a computer to share its hardware resources with multiple digitally separated environments.Amazon Web Services
virtualize
ˈvər-chə-wə-ˌlīz How to pronounce virtualization (audio)
ˈvər-chə-ˌlīz
ˈvərch-wə-ˌlīz
transitive verb
virtualized; virtualizing; virtualizes

Examples of virtualization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company launched new AI inference and virtualization services on its cloud platform with Red Hat to help enterprises scale artificial intelligence and modernize IT systems. Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 22 May 2026 BitLocker device encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, Windows Sandbox, biometric login support, and Smart App Control all help improve security and flexibility, especially for people using their PCs for work, freelancing, development, or business tasks. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 22 May 2026 Those still using a 486 for one reason or another will still be able to run older Linux kernels and vintage operating systems—running old software without emulation or virtualization is one of the few reasons to keep booting up hardware this old. Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026 This allowed Dell to retain operational control of the crown jewel of virtualization and cloud infrastructure without immediately absorbing the massive cash cost of buying VMware outright. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2026 Broadcom's 2023 acquisition of VMware fundamentally altered the enterprise virtualization market. Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 HostColor reports using Proxmox VE, VMware ESXi and other enterprise virtualization technologies. Nia Bowers, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026 Available as bare metal or cloud-based servers, they can be configured with the Microsoft Windows operating system, a Linux distribution, or enterprise virtualization technology such as Proxmox VE or VMware ESXi. Nia Bowers, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026 If Inherent Vice lamented the fading of the 60s, and Bleeding Edge charted the virtualization of the present, Shadow Ticket seems to weep for history itself. Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of virtualization was in 1973

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Virtualization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtualization. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

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