defragment

[ dee-frag-muhnt, -ment ]

verb (used with object)

, Computers.

1. to reorganize files on (a hard disk drive ) so that the parts of each file are stored in contiguous sectors on the disk, thereby improving computer performance and maximizing disk space.

defragment

/ dĭ-frăg′mənt /

1. To reorganize the way information is stored on a computer disk so that all of the information belonging to a file is stored in a single, contiguous area the disk.

Other Words From

• de·frag·men·ta·tion noun
• de·frag·ment·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of defragment¹

First recorded in 1980–85; de- + fragment

Example Sentences

Under Optimize and defragment drive, click on Optimize.

From Fox News

You can also defragment, eliminate malware, and even reinstall Windows.

From Fox News

All the strange anomalies — the issue with his arm, and the dialogue echoes between Ford and Emily — are symptoms of his brain trying to sort out the various memories and defragment itself, much like Bernard did during his interrogation in episode 7.

From The Verge

It had started to get quite slow recently, so I decided to try to defragment it.

From Seattle Times

It had started to get quite slow recently, so I decided to try to defragment it.

From Seattle Times