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Compact disc: meaning, definitions and examples

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compact disc

[ ˈkɒmpækt dɪsk ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

digital storage

A compact disc, also known as a CD, is a small plastic disc used for storing digital data. It was initially developed for storing and playing back audio recordings, but later expanded to include data storage, software, and other types of media.

Synonyms

CD, optical disc.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
compact disc	Used in a more formal or technical context, often when introducing the technology or in detailed explanations. The compact disc revolutionized the music industry in the 1980s. Data can be easily stored and retrieved from a compact disc.
CD	Commonly used in casual conversations and everyday language. It is the abbreviated form and is widely recognized. I just bought the latest album on CD. Do you have a CD player in your car?
optical disc	Used when referring to the broader category of data storage discs, which includes CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, often in a more technical or scientific context. Optical discs like DVDs and Blu-rays have largely replaced VHS tapes. Data integrity on an optical disc can last for many years if stored properly.

Word

Description / Examples

compact disc

Used in a more formal or technical context, often when introducing the technology or in detailed explanations.

The compact disc revolutionized the music industry in the 1980s.
Data can be easily stored and retrieved from a compact disc.

Commonly used in casual conversations and everyday language. It is the abbreviated form and is widely recognized.

I just bought the latest album on CD.
Do you have a CD player in your car?

optical disc

Used when referring to the broader category of data storage discs, which includes CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, often in a more technical or scientific context.

Optical discs like DVDs and Blu-rays have largely replaced VHS tapes.
Data integrity on an optical disc can last for many years if stored properly.

Examples of usage

Have you seen my compact disc collection?
She bought a new compact disc with the latest hits.
The compact disc revolutionized the way we listen to music.
The compact disc format was first introduced in the 1980s.
I still have some old compact discs from the 90s.

Translations

Translations of the word "compact disc" in other languages:

🇵🇹 disco compacto

🇮🇳 कॉम्पैक्ट डिस्क

🇩🇪 Kompaktscheibe

🇮🇩 cakram padat

🇺🇦 компакт-диск

🇵🇱 płyta kompaktowa

🇯🇵 コンパクトディスク

🇫🇷 disque compact

🇪🇸 disco compacto

🇹🇷 kompakt disk

🇰🇷 콤팩트 디스크

🇸🇦 قرص مضغوط

🇨🇿 kompaktní disk

🇸🇰 kompaktný disk

🇨🇳 光盘

🇸🇮 kompaktni disk

🇮🇸 geisladiskur

🇰🇿 компакт-диск

🇬🇪 კომპაქტ-დისკი

🇦🇿 kompakt disk

🇲🇽 disco compacto

Etymology

The compact disc, commonly known as CD, was developed by Philips and Sony in the late 1970s as a digital optical disc storage medium. It was first introduced to the market in 1982 and quickly gained popularity due to its superior audio quality and durability compared to vinyl records and cassette tapes. The CD format revolutionized the music industry and became the dominant medium for music distribution. Over the years, the technology has evolved, with the introduction of formats like CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW, expanding the uses of compact discs beyond audio recordings.