virtual reality

[ vur-choo-uhl ree-al-i-tee ]
See synonyms for virtual reality on Thesaurus.com
nounDigital Technology.
  1. a realistic and immersive computer simulation of a three-dimensional environment, created using interactive software and hardware, and experienced or controlled by movement of the body. Abbreviation: VR

Origin of virtual reality

1
First recorded in 1980–85
  • Also called ar·ti·fi·cial re·al·i·ty [ahr-tuh-fish-uhl ree-al-i-tee] /ˈɑr təˈfɪʃ əl riˈæl ɪ ti/ .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use virtual reality in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for virtual reality

virtual reality

noun
  1. a computer-generated environment that, to the person experiencing it, closely resembles reality: Abbreviation: VR See also virtual (def. 4)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for virtual reality

virtual reality

  1. A computer simulation of a real or imaginary world or scenario, in which a user may interact with simulated objects or living things in real time. More sophisticated virtual reality systems place sensors on the user's body to sense movements that are then interpreted by the system as movements in the simulated world; binocular goggles are sometimes used to simulate the appearance of objects in three dimensions.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for virtual reality

virtual reality

The creation of images and tactile sensations by means of a computer, producing the illusion of reality. Images are often projected onto special goggles to strengthen the illusion. (See cyberspace.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.