Definition

Noun: A rigid, flat, circular plate coated with a magnetic material, used for the digital storage and retrieval of data in computing devices. Information is stored by magnetizing tiny regions of the coating, and it is read by a sensing head that detects these magnetic patterns.

Examples of Usage

• The computer's operating system was installed on the primary magnetic disc.
• Before cloud storage, most data was saved on a magnetic disc like a hard drive.
• The technician replaced the damaged magnetic disc inside the server.

Advanced Usage

• "Platter": In technical contexts, especially concerning hard disk drives (HDDs), an individual magnetic disc is often called a . A single drive can contain multiple stacked platters.
  • The new hard drive features three platters for increased storage capacity.

Variants and Related Words

• Magnetic disk (noun): An alternative, more common spelling for magnetic disc.
• Disk / Disc (noun): The general short form. In computing, "disk" (with a 'k') is the more frequent spelling, especially in American English, though both are acceptable.
• Hard disk (noun): A specific, common type of magnetic disc drive that is non-removable, rigid, and housed within a computer.
• Floppy disk (noun): An older, portable type of magnetic disc that is flexible and housed in a square plastic sleeve.

Synonyms

• Storage disk
• Hard drive platter (for the internal disc within a hard drive)

Related Phrases

• Disk drive (noun phrase): The physical device that contains one or more magnetic discs and the mechanics to read and write data to them.
  • The disk drive failed, making the data on the magnetic discs inaccessible.
• Disk storage (noun phrase): The general method of storing data using magnetic discs.
  • Disk storage remains a cost-effective solution for large archives.

Noun

1. (computer science) a memory device consisting of a flat disk covered with a magnetic coating on which information is stored