noun
sudo
SOO-doo
Sudo (noun) means a command in Unix-like operating systems that lets an authorized user run a task with another user's (usually the administrator's) permissions. Example: “You need sudo to install software system-wide on most Linux distributions.”
noun
1
A command in Unix-like operating systems that lets an authorized user run a task with another user's (usually the administrator's) permissions.
"You need sudo to install software system-wide on most Linux distributions."
verb
1
To run a command using sudo.
"Just sudo that command and enter your password."
How to use sudo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA command that temporarily gives you administrator-level permission to run something.
When to use it
Technical/computing term, used mainly by developers and system administrators.
Common pairings
sudo apt-get
run as sudo
sudo access
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sudos
- Past tense
- sudoed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You need _____ to install software system-wide on most Linux distributions.
Etymology
Originally read as a blend of "superuser" and "do"; now more commonly understood as short for "substitute user, do."
Rhymes for sudo
See all rhymes for sudo →Frequently asked questions
What does “sudo” mean?
The word “sudo” means a command in Unix-like operating systems that lets an authorized user run a task with another user's (usually the administrator's) permissions. In plain terms, a command that temporarily gives you administrator-level permission to run something.
How do you pronounce “sudo”?
“Sudo” is pronounced SOO-doo (/ˈsuː.duː/ in IPA).
How do you use “sudo” in a sentence?
Here is “sudo” used in a sentence: “You need sudo to install software system-wide on most Linux distributions.”
What part of speech is “sudo”?
Depending on how it is used, “sudo” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “sudo” have?
“Sudo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a command in Unix-like operating systems that lets an authorized user run a task with another user's (usually the administrator's) permissions.
