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Glite Dictionary
visual display unit

visual display unit

4.1
A screen like a computer monitor that shows images and text
  • noun
  • /ˈvɪʒuəl dɪˈspleɪ ˈjunɪt/
  • UK
translation icon : unidad de visualización
  • Employees are advised to take breaks when working at a visual display unit for long periods.

Examples

  • He adjusted the angle of his visual display unit to reduce glare.

  • The office was equipped with new visual display units to improve productivity.

  • The visual display unit is malfunctioning.

  • Can you check the visual display unit?

  • It is important to keep your visual display unit clean to ensure clear visibility.

  • The technician replaced the broken visual display unit with a newer model.

  • She noticed the colors looked different on her visual display unit compared to her phone.

Synonyms

screen
vsvisual display unit
∞ 1.0

A flat surface that shows images or videos

is a device dedicated to computer output not any display surface
display
vsvisual display unit
  • Specialized
197 2.5

A screen on a device that shows pictures and words

is specific to computer output rather than all displays
monitor
vsvisual display unit
118 3.3

A screen that shows pictures from a computer

is mainly for computer output rather than other electronic sources
computer monitor
vsvisual display unit
8 2.7

A screen that shows the images and information from a computer

is the British technical term for the same device
video display
vsvisual display unit
2 3.4

A screen that shows text, photos, or moving pictures

is chiefly for computer output specifically
digital display
vsvisual display unit
1 3.6

An electronic screen that shows numbers or letters

is for showing graphical computer output rather than only characters
computer display
vsvisual display unit
1 2.5

A screen that shows pictures and text from a computer

is the complete device including screen and electronics
VDU
vsvisual display unit
  • Archaic
1 6.3

A screen that shows information from a computer

is the full British phrase rather than the abbreviation

How Big

multiscreen
  • Specialized
4.2
big screen
30 3.2
visual display unit
  • UK
4.1
screen
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

visual display unit singular
VDU singular

Morphology

visual + display + unit

The meaning is directly and compositionally derivable from 'visual' (related to sight) + 'display' (screen) + 'unit' (device/component), so a learner who knows the parts can infer it refers to a monitor or screen device. This is a literal, technical compound with no idiomatic shift and follows common noun-compounding patterns found across languages, making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The name visual display unit comes from simple parts that describe what it does: visual means 'seen', display means 'to show', and unit means 'small device'. So the phrase names a computer screen, a device that 'shows' information, in other words a monitor.