cD
CD (noun) means a compact disc: a small plastic disc used to store and play back digital audio or data. Example: “She still owns a shelf full of CDs from the 1990s.”
noun
1
A compact disc: a small plastic disc used to store and play back digital audio or data.
"She still owns a shelf full of CDs from the 1990s."
"He burned a CD of his favorite songs for the road trip."
How to use cD
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA round disc used to store music or data before streaming took over.
Easily confused with
CD (certificate of deposit)
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Word forms
- Plural
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She still owns a shelf full of _____ from the 1990s.
Etymology
An abbreviation of "compact disc."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cD” mean?
The word “cD” means a compact disc: a small plastic disc used to store and play back digital audio or data. In plain terms, a round disc used to store music or data before streaming took over.
How do you use “cD” in a sentence?
Here is “cD” used in a sentence: “She still owns a shelf full of CDs from the 1990s.”
What part of speech is “cD”?
“CD” is a noun.
Is “cD” a common word?
“CD” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a CD and a DVD?
Both are plastic discs that store digital data, but a CD (compact disc) was designed mainly for audio and holds far less data than a DVD. DVDs store data more densely, which is why they became the standard for video and larger files.
What is the correct plural of CD — CDs or CD's?
The standard plural is "CDs," with no apostrophe, as in "a shelf of old CDs." "CD's" with an apostrophe is used only for the possessive, as in "the CD's cover."
Should CD be written in capital letters?
Yes, "CD" is normally written in capitals because it is an initialism for "compact disc." Lowercase "cd" appears in casual writing, but capitals are standard in edited text.
What is the difference between a CD and a CD-ROM?
A CD-ROM is a compact disc that stores computer data that can be read but not rewritten; "ROM" stands for "read-only memory." In everyday use, "CD" often refers to an audio disc, while "CD-ROM" specifically means a data disc for computers.
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