laptop

[ lap-top ]

noun

1. a portable computer, usually battery-powered, small enough to rest on the user's lap and having a screen that closes over the keyboard like a lid. Compare tablet ( def 5 ).

laptop

/ ˈlæpˌtɒp /

noun

1. a personal computer that is small and light enough to be operated on the user's lap Compare palmtop computer

laptop

1. A portable, compact personal computer that can run on a battery .

Word History and Origins

Origin of laptop¹

First recorded in 1980–85; lap ¹ + top ¹

Example Sentences

Earlier this week, with a voice full of emotion, she told the court her life had “stopped” when police first showed her photos from her father's laptop in 2020.

From BBC

This type of leaner LLM could be stored and accessed locally on a device like a phone or laptop and could provide performance nearly as accurate and nuanced as an uncompressed version.

From Science Daily

She was then asked by defence lawyers about partially naked images found on Dominique Pelicot's laptop of their daughter Caroline.

From BBC

Lawyer Alexandra Shapiro argued it was impossible for the musician to prepare for trial from behind bars because of the "incredibly voluminous" amount of material to review, especially without a laptop computer.

From BBC

"If you don’t have a laptop to start off with or you’re a musician in an environment where there is no internet connectivity then how will you participate?" she told the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

• data processor
• desktop computer
• PC
• personal computer