noun
Common
DoS
dee-o-EHS
DoS (noun) means a denial-of-service attack, in which a system is flooded with traffic to make it unavailable. Example: “The website went down after being hit by a DoS attack.”
noun
1
A denial-of-service attack, in which a system is flooded with traffic to make it unavailable.
"The website went down after being hit by a DoS attack."
How to use DoS
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cyberattack that overwhelms a website or server so real users can't get through.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like DoS.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- DoSs, DoSes
- Third person singular
- DoSes
- Past tense
- DoSed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The website went down after being hit by a _____ attack.
Etymology
An abbreviation of "denial of service."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for DoS
See all rhymes for DoS →Frequently asked questions
What does “DoS” mean?
The word “DoS” means a denial-of-service attack, in which a system is flooded with traffic to make it unavailable. In plain terms, a cyberattack that overwhelms a website or server so real users can't get through.
How do you pronounce “DoS”?
“DoS” is pronounced dee-o-EHS (/diː oː ˈɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “DoS” in a sentence?
Here is “DoS” used in a sentence: “The website went down after being hit by a DoS attack.”
What part of speech is “DoS”?
“DoS” is a noun.
Is “DoS” a common word?
“DoS” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a DoS attack and a DDoS attack?
A DoS (denial-of-service) attack floods a system with traffic to make it unavailable, typically from a single source. A DDoS, or distributed denial-of-service attack, uses the same basic method but launches the flood of traffic from many sources at once, making it harder to block.
Is "DoS" simply short for "denial of service"?
Yes, DoS is the abbreviation for a denial-of-service attack, in which a system is flooded with traffic to make it unavailable to its intended users.
How does a DoS attack actually make a system unavailable?
A DoS attack works by flooding a target system with an overwhelming amount of traffic or requests, which overloads its resources so that it can no longer respond to legitimate users.
