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Glite Dictionary
💾 Simulated computer memory ☁️ Online file space
virtual storage

virtual storage

4.6
Part of a computer's disk used like extra memory when the computer's memory is full
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : almacenamiento virtual
  • The computer uses virtual storage to handle large applications that exceed its physical RAM.

Examples

  • Thanks to virtual storage, multitasking is possible even on systems with limited memory.

  • Running too many programs at once can cause virtual storage to slow down your computer.

  • The computer uses virtual storage to optimize performance.

  • Can you explain how virtual storage works?

  • Running too many programs at once can cause virtual storage to slow down your computer.

  • Thanks to virtual storage, multitasking is possible even on systems with limited memory.

  • The computer uses virtual storage to handle large applications that exceed its physical RAM.

Synonyms

virtual memory
vsvirtual storage
  • Specialized
1 4.2

The computer uses part of its hard disk as extra memory when RAM is full

is the same technique but uses a different name
swap space
vsvirtual storage
  • Specialized
6.2

A part of the hard drive used as extra memory when computer memory is full

focuses on the overall technique rather than a reserved disk part

How Simulated

virtual storage
  • Specialized
4.6
computer storage
  • Specialized
1 2.7

Surface Forms

virtual storage singular
virtual storages plural

Morphology

virtual + storage

The meaning is directly compositional: 'virtual' (computer/simulated, not physical) modifies 'storage' (place or system for keeping data), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to non-physical/computer-based data storage (e.g., cloud). This adj+noun pattern is a common, cross-linguistically transparent construction, making the MWE immediately understandable to B1 learners.

Etymology

Virtual storage is like a small desk and a big closet: the word virtual means not part of the desk and storage is where things are kept, so when the desk (your computer memory) is full the system moves papers into the closet (the hard disk) to keep working. So 'virtual storage' means using disk space to act like extra memory.