disc

¹ American  

[disk] / dɪsk /

Also disk

noun

1. a phonograph record.

2. disk.

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verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to make (a recording) on a phonograph disc.

2. disk.

disc- ² American  

1. variant of disco- before a vowel.

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disc. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. discount.

2. discovered.

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disc British  

/ dɪsk /

noun

1. a flat circular plate

2. something resembling or appearing to resemble this

   the sun's disc

3. another word for (gramophone) record

4. anatomy any approximately circular flat structure in the body, esp an intervertebral disc

5. 1. the flat receptacle of composite flowers, such as the daisy

   2. ( as modifier )

      a disc floret

6. the middle part of the lip of an orchid

7. 1. Also called: parking disc.  a marker or device for display in a parked vehicle showing the time of arrival or the latest permitted time of departure or both

   2. ( as modifier )

      a disc zone

      disc parking

8. computing a variant spelling of disk

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verb

1. to work (land) with a disc harrow

Etymology

Origin of disc

disk

Explanation

A disc is an object that's round and flat. It might be a toy that you throw, like a Frisbee, or it might be a compact disc with digitally encoded music. Disc is often used interchangeably with disk. A disc galaxy, or disk galaxy, is a vast collection of stars that appears flat and circular through a telescope. The discs, or disks, in your spine are circular pads of cartilage that cushion the vertebrae. But the disc spelling is more commonly used for a phonograph record on which music is inscribed and played back on a record player. And a disc jockey entertains people by playing recorded music, originally that which was recorded on discs.

Example Sentences

“We have known for decades that once you have one disc surgery, the chances of having another are substantially higher, especially if you use the fusion technique like Tiger. It’s a domino effect.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The film, released in 1983 and now available on a Criterion Collection disc in a new 4K restoration, solemnly depicts the aftermath of a nuclear attack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Planetesimals were among the first sizable objects to form from the swirling disc of dust and pebbles that surrounded the young Sun.

From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026

"I've had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it's challenging," said the 50-year-old.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

The machine hummed and rejected the disc once more.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• layer
• slab
• slice