usb

IPA/ˌjuː.esˈbiː/
KK[jˈuˈɛsbˈi]IPA/ˌjuː.esˈbiː/

usb — noun

  • usbsingular
  • usbsplural

1. a popular method for connecting electronic items like phones, laptops, and print

1.nounB1
Definition

a popular method for connecting electronic items like phones, laptops, and printers so they can exchange data or get power; also, the small rectangular slot or plug that enables these links.

Example

Samir plugged the keyboard into the USB port on the side of his laptop.

collocation: USB port — the physical slot on a device

Hoa asked if the computer shop sold a USB cable for her old printer.

collocation: USB cable — the wire used for connecting devices

Common collocations
  • USB port
  • USB cable
  • USB flash drive
  • USB slot
  • USB charger
  • USB connector
  • USB hub

Usage Note

Often used as a modifier before another noun, as in 'USB port', 'USB cable', or 'USB flash drive'. The word is pronounced as three separate letters: U-S-B.

2. the letters that stand for 'Universal Serial Bus', which is the full technical n

2.nounB1
Definition

the letters that stand for 'Universal Serial Bus', which is the full technical name of the connection system used by most computers and electronic devices.

Example

The teacher explained that USB stands for Universal Serial Bus.

Samir asked what the letters USB on his phone charger stand for.

pattern: what + letters + stand for — asking about an abbreviation

Common collocations
  • stands for
  • short for
  • meaning of USB

Usage Note

This sense is used when explaining or asking what the abbreviation stands for. In everyday conversation, people say 'USB' without referring to the full name 'Universal Serial Bus'.

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • USB flash drive
  • USB charging cable
  • plug into a USB port
  • connect via USB

Prepositions

  • via USB
  • through a USB port
  • into a USB slot

Etymology

English (acronym)

USB is an initialism formed from the first letters of 'Universal Serial Bus'. The standard was developed in the mid-1990s by a group of technology companies including Intel, IBM, and Microsoft. 'Universal' means it works with many different types of devices, 'Serial' describes how data travels one bit at a time through a single wire, and 'Bus' refers to a shared connection path that multiple devices can use.

First known use

1995

1995, in the meaning defined above