formatcommand

noun

UK /ˈfɔːmæt kəˈmɑːnd/

US /ˈfɔːrmæt kəˈmænd/

A format command is a special instruction that tells a computer to get a disk ready to store files.

The teacher typed a format command to clean the old USB drive.

SYNONYMS

format instruction disk command initialization command setup command

RELATED WORDS

disk drive computer file system erase

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A command in a program that changes how text or data looks.

She used a format command to make the title bold.

3. An instruction that prepares a storage device by removing everything on it.

Running the format command wiped the memory card clean.

4. A typed instruction in a computer language that sets the layout of output.

The programmer added a format command to print numbers with two decimals.