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file
1[ fahyl ]
noun
- a folder, cabinet, or other container in which papers, letters, etc., are arranged in convenient order for storage or reference.
- a collection of papers, records, etc., arranged in convenient order:
to make a file for a new account.
- Computers. a collection of related data or program records stored on some input/output or auxiliary storage medium:
This program's main purpose is to update the customer master file.
- a line of persons or things arranged one behind another ( rank 1def 10 ).
- Military.
- a person in front of or behind another in a military formation.
- one step on a promotion list.
- one of the vertical lines of squares on a chessboard.
- a list or roll.
- a string or wire on which papers are strung for preservation and reference.
verb (used with object)
- to place in a file.
- to arrange (papers, records, etc.) in convenient order for storage or reference.
- Journalism.
- to arrange (copy) in the proper order for transmittal by wire.
- to transmit (copy), as by wire or telephone:
He filed copy from Madrid all through the war.
verb (used without object)
- to march in a file or line, one after another, as soldiers:
The parade filed past endlessly.
- to make application:
to file for a civil-service job.
file
2[ fahyl ]
noun
- a long, narrow tool of steel or other metal having a series of ridges or points on its surfaces for reducing or smoothing surfaces of metal, wood, etc.
- a small, similar tool for trimming and cleaning fingernails; nail file.
- British Slang. a cunning, shrewd, or artful person.
verb (used with object)
- to reduce, smooth, or remove with or as if with a file.
file
3[ fahyl ]
verb (used with object)
- to defile; corrupt.
filé
4[ fi-ley, fee-ley ]
noun
- a powder made from the ground leaves of the sassafras tree, used as a thickener and to impart a pungent taste to soups, gumbos, and other dishes.
file
1/ faɪl /
noun
- a folder, box, etc, used to keep documents or other items in order
- the documents, etc, kept in this way
- documents or information about a specific subject, person, etc
we have a file on every known thief
- an orderly line or row
- See ranka line of people in marching formation, one behind another Compare rank 1
- any of the eight vertical rows of squares on a chessboard
- computing a named collection of information, in the form of text, programs, graphics, etc, held on a permanent storage device such as a magnetic disk
- obsolete.a list or catalogue
- a group of problems or responsibilities, esp in government, associated with a particular topic
the environment file
- on fileon file recorded or catalogued for reference, as in a file
verb
- to place (a document, letter, etc) in a file
- tr to put on record, esp to place (a legal document) on public or official record; register
- tr to bring (a suit, esp a divorce suit) in a court of law
- tr to submit (copy) to a newspaper or news agency
- intr to march or walk in a file or files
the ants filed down the hill
file
2/ faɪl /
verb
- obsolete.tr to pollute or defile
file
3/ faɪl /
noun
- a hand tool consisting essentially of a steel blade with small cutting teeth on some or all of its faces. It is used for shaping or smoothing metal, wood, etc
- rare.a cunning or deceitful person
verb
- tr to shape or smooth (a surface) with a file
file
/ fīl /
- A collection of related data or program records stored as a unit with a single name. Files are the basic units that a computer works with in storing and retrieving data.
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Derived Forms
- ˈfiler, noun
- ˈfiler, noun
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Other Words From
- filea·ble adjective
- filer noun
- non·filer noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of file1
Origin of file2
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Word History and Origins
Origin of file1
Origin of file2
Origin of file3
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Idioms and Phrases
- on file, arranged in order for convenient reference; in a file:
The names are on file in the office.
More idioms and phrases containing file
see in single file ; on file ; rank and file .Discover More
Example Sentences
Prosecutors said the ransomware used an increasingly popular new tactic that not only encrypts a victim’s files but also exfiltrates the data to the hacker’s servers.
Rossi moved out in 2016 and filed for divorce the following year.
She told the judge the employee who was previously responsible for filing the court cases was no longer with the authority.
On Sunday, Microsoft’s general manager for gaming developer experience, Kevin Gammill, filed a declaration of support for Epic’s motion for a temporary restraining order against Apple.
The San Francisco-based startup filed paperwork for the listing Monday.
Did he go to the authorities to file a report against the Guerreros Unidos drug cartel?
Did the airline file a flight plan that took account of the weather en route from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore?
With 3D printing you can continue to use the file and update.
Asked what kind of support he got from rank-and-file Democrats, he paused before replying with a hearty laugh.
She also told TMZ that she plans to file a civil suit against Cosby.
As each company front formed the knees of the rank and file seemed to give way.
If Wee Willie Winkie took an interest in anyone, the fortunate man was envied alike by the mess and the rank and file.
Not for twenty necklaces and a whole file of hieroglyphic passes would she doubt Frank any more.
The sides of the notch were steep, and the boys rode through it in single file, Matt taking the lead.
At random, I select four names from the printed list, and the new jurors file into the box.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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