forward slash

[ fawr-werd slash ]

noun

1. a short oblique stroke (/), or slash, especially one used in computer programming or to specify an internet address or computer filename.

Word History and Origins

Origin of forward slash¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

On some keyboard layouts, I’ll accidentally hit the power button or misfire by hitting the right Shift when I want to press the forward slash button — but I didn’t experience accidental presses here.

From The Verge

I sometimes confuse it for a forward slash while quickly typing due to its size or hit it when I want to arrow up in a document.

From The Verge

If you read many poetry reviews, you may have noticed the convention of representing a line break with a forward slash, and a stanza break with two forward slashes.

From New York Times

Question mark / forward slash has been combined with period / greater than, so typing a question mark requires hitting all three of Shift, Fn, and period at the same time.

From The Verge

More pressing is that the keyboard is Razer’s older design that wedged the up arrow between the forward slash and right Shift keys.

From The Verge