disc
dihsk
Disc (noun) means a flat, round, thin object or shape. Example: “The children threw a plastic disc across the park to each other.”
noun
1
A flat, round, thin object or shape.
"The children threw a plastic disc across the park to each other."
"A thin metal disc covered the hole in the pipe."
"The moon appeared as a bright disc in the night sky."
2
A round, flat piece of plastic used to store music, video, or data, such as a CD or DVD.
"The shop still sells music on disc as well as online."
"My laptop doesn't have a slot for a disc any more."
"He put the disc into the drive and pressed play."
3
A cushion-like piece of cartilage between the bones of the spine.
"The doctor said a damaged disc was pressing on a nerve in his back."
"Sitting badly for years can put extra strain on the discs in your spine."
"She slipped a disc while lifting a heavy box."
How to use disc
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA round, flat object — used for anything from CDs to parts of the spine.
UK vs US
British English generally uses "disc" (compact disc, slipped disc), while American English tends to use "disk" for computer storage, though usage overlaps.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
slipped disc
compact disc
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- discs
- Past tense
- disced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children threw a plastic _____ across the park to each other.
Etymology
From French disque, from Latin discus, from Ancient Greek diskos ("disk, quoit, platter").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “disc” mean?
The word “disc” means a flat, round, thin object or shape. In plain terms, a round, flat object — used for anything from CDs to parts of the spine.
How do you pronounce “disc”?
“Disc” is pronounced dihsk (/dɪsk/ in IPA).
How do you use “disc” in a sentence?
Here is “disc” used in a sentence: “The moon appeared as a bright disc in the night sky.”
What part of speech is “disc”?
“Disc” is a noun.
Where does the word “disc” come from?
The word “disc” comes from Ancient Greek. From French disque, from Latin discus, from Ancient Greek diskos ("disk, quoit, platter").
Is “disc” a common word?
“Disc” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “disc” have?
“Disc” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat, round, thin object or shape.
What is the difference between "disc" and "disk"?
"Disc" and "disk" are both correct spellings, but usage differs: "disc" is preferred for optical media such as a CD or DVD and in British English generally, while "disk" is common in American English and in computing terms like "hard disk." Both refer to a flat, round, thin object.
When should you use "disc" instead of "disk"?
Use "disc" for round optical media like a compact disc (CD) or DVD, for the flat plastic discs used in sports, and for the discs in your spine. Use "disk" for magnetic computer storage, such as a hard disk or floppy disk, especially in American English.
Is "disc" a British or American spelling?
"Disc" is the standard spelling in British English for most round, flat objects, while American English tends to prefer "disk." However, even in American English "disc" is used for optical media like CDs and DVDs.
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