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noun

URL

you-ar-EL

URL (noun) means the full web address of a page, image or file on the internet, typed into a browser or shared as a link — for example https://www.example.com/about. Example: “Paste the URL into the address bar and press enter.”

noun
1
The full web address of a page, image or file on the internet, typed into a browser or shared as a link — for example https://www.example.com/about.
"Paste the URL into the address bar and press enter."
"She copied the URL and sent it to me on WhatsApp."
2
In technical use, a standardised string that identifies a resource and states the protocol used to fetch it, such as https, ftp or mailto.
"The API returns a signed URL that expires after ten minutes."

How to Use URL

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe web address of a page.

When to use it

Neutral; written in capitals. 'A URL' is standard, matching the spoken 'you'.

Memory tip

Use 'a URL', not 'an URL', because the spoken form begins with a 'y' sound.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
copy the URL paste a URL short URL URL bar broken URL
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Test yourself on “URL” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Paste the _____ into the address bar and press enter.

Etymology

An initialism of Uniform Resource Locator.

Origin: English

web address link address URI endpoint

Related Words

Rhymes for URL

See all rhymes for URL →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does URL stand for?

Uniform Resource Locator. The name describes its job: it locates a specific resource, such as a page or file, in a uniform format that any browser can read.

What is the difference between a URL and a domain name?

The domain name is only the site part, such as example.com. The URL is the whole address, including the protocol at the front and any path, page and query string after the domain. Every URL contains a domain, but a domain on its own is not a full URL.

How do you pronounce URL?

Most people spell it out as 'you-ar-el'. Some technologists say it as a single word, 'earl', but the letter-by-letter pronunciation is far more common and always understood.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from FreeDict original editorial