dig·i·tal
ˈdi-jə-tᵊl 
1
: of, relating to, or utilizing devices constructed or working by the methods or principles of electronics : electronic
digital devices/technology
also
: characterized by electronic and especially computerized technology
the digital age
In an electronically driven work-place, managers pinpoint information overload as the inescapable downside to … life in the digital world. —
David Bottoms
David Bottoms 2
: composed of data in the form of especially binary digits (see digit sense 1b)
digital images/photos
a digital readout
a digital broadcast [=a broadcast employing digital communications signals]
compare analog sense 1
3
: providing a readout in numerical digits
a digital voltmeter
a digital watch/clock
4
5
: of, relating to, or using calculation by numerical methods or by discrete units
6
: of or relating to the fingers or toes
digital dexterity
7
: done with a finger
a digital rectal examination
plural digitals
1
a
: media (such as a photograph) in a digital format
This writer spent a frightfully snowy day stumbling around a snow-covered lawn among the downpour of snowflake clusters. Something black and cold became an impromptu netting device to capture digitals of individual snowflakes.—Alan Daugherty
Alan Daugherty
b
: digital media as an industry or sector of an industry
… radio advertising was up 6.8%, TV advertising was up 9.4%, and digital was up 16.8%.—News Bites US Markets
News Bites US Markets2
: something (such as a device) characterized or operated by digital technology
Unlike analog quartz watches, which had a conventional dial and hands, digitals were totally electronic, with no moving parts at all.—Joe Thompson
Joe ThompsonThe analog thermometers usually register from 0ºF to 220ºF and cost about $12; the digitals register from -58ºF to 302ºF and go for around $15.—Dorie Greenspan
Dorie Greenspan3
: a finger or toe
… critical ischemia of the digitals of upper and lower limbs …—Nadjib Schahab et al.
Nadjib Schahab et al.
also
: an artery or nerve that supplies the fingers or toes
… the doctor reported that ulnar palmar and radial palmar digitals' decreased sensation had a maximum upper extremity impairment of 9 percent … —US Fed News
US Fed News 
Examples of digital in a Sentence
Adjective
You can transfer digital images from your camera to your computer.
a digital recording of a sound
In this new digital age, computers and the Internet are part of our everyday lives.
Recent Examples on the WebEbony Flake, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
Barry Weiss’s nearly decade-old RECORDS promoted David Enriquez to executive vp and Andrew Saltman to vp of marketing and digital strategies.
—Marc Schneider, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
But the threat of similar trickery has left providers of digital identity verification scrambling to catch up.
—Nick Rockel, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
As of 31 March 2024, the Company held digital assets worth the equivalent of 26 Bitcoin.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
The group has also secured $1 million from the Knight Foundation to boost the building’s digital integration and $100,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to fund its redesign.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Luckily, Brian’s a digital wizard who works his magic inside the booth.
—Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
More Luis Giraldo Luis Giraldo is a senior digital producer for CBS News Digital.
—Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
Deeper Well was also issued in four different CD versions, three different digital editions (two were exclusive to her webstore — one with a bonus track, and another with the same bonus track an alternate cover art) and as a cassette tape.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2024
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2024
Harper’s Bazaar Announces New Executive Director Hearst magazines announced that Lynette Nylander is its next executive director for digital at Harper’s Bazaar.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 14 Mar. 2024
The film is also available to buy or rent on digital at Amazon’s Prime Video, Apple TV and other transactional video-on-demand platforms.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024
However, seeing that films usually release on digital a month prior, the film could be available for rent or purchase at an earlier date.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Corner Office premieres in theaters and On Demand/digital on Aug. 4.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 6 July 2023
Where to Stream Mean Girls (2024) Online Mean Girls (2024) is available to buy or rent in 4K Ultra HD digital at transactional video-on-demand platforms, including Prime Video and Apple TV.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2024
The digital of a cathedral becomes a woozy sister-in-law.
—Jay Pilgreen, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2024
Advertisement News media has suffered from major cost-cutting as companies struggle to make the transition to digital from traditional business models such as print.
—Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Building a solid digital presence can help professionals stand out in a crowded job market and attract opportunities for career advancement.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
Barry Weiss’s nearly decade-old RECORDS promoted David Enriquez to executive vp and Andrew Saltman to vp of marketing and digital strategies.
—Marc Schneider, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
But the threat of similar trickery has left providers of digital identity verification scrambling to catch up.
—Nick Rockel, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
As of 31 March 2024, the Company held digital assets worth the equivalent of 26 Bitcoin.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
The group has also secured $1 million from the Knight Foundation to boost the building’s digital integration and $100,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to fund its redesign.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Luckily, Brian’s a digital wizard who works his magic inside the booth.
—Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
More Luis Giraldo Luis Giraldo is a senior digital producer for CBS News Digital.
—Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
Deeper Well was also issued in four different CD versions, three different digital editions (two were exclusive to her webstore — one with a bonus track, and another with the same bonus track an alternate cover art) and as a cassette tape.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2024
Noun
New safety guidelines from the American Dental Association say the practice can stop, because X-ray technologies have evolved significantly and there are better ways to reduce patients’ exposure to radiation, such as using digital rather than conventional X-ray film.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2024
Harper’s Bazaar Announces New Executive Director Hearst magazines announced that Lynette Nylander is its next executive director for digital at Harper’s Bazaar.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 14 Mar. 2024
The film is also available to buy or rent on digital at Amazon’s Prime Video, Apple TV and other transactional video-on-demand platforms.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024
However, seeing that films usually release on digital a month prior, the film could be available for rent or purchase at an earlier date.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Corner Office premieres in theaters and On Demand/digital on Aug. 4.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 6 July 2023
Where to Stream Mean Girls (2024) Online Mean Girls (2024) is available to buy or rent in 4K Ultra HD digital at transactional video-on-demand platforms, including Prime Video and Apple TV.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2024
The digital of a cathedral becomes a woozy sister-in-law.
—Jay Pilgreen, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2024
Advertisement News media has suffered from major cost-cutting as companies struggle to make the transition to digital from traditional business models such as print.
—Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'digital.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English digitalle "(of a whole number) less than ten," borrowed from Latin digitālis "measuring a finger's breadth," from digitus "finger, toe, finger's breadth as a measure" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at digit
Noun
derivative of digital entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5
Noun
1822, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Time Traveler
The first known use of digital was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing digital
Dictionary Entries Near digital
Cite this Entry
“Digital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digital. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
digital
adjective
dig·i·tal
ˈdij-ət-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or done with a finger or toe
2
: of, relating to, or using calculation directly with digits rather than through measurable physical quantities
3
: of or relating to data in the form of numerical digits
digital images
digital broadcasting
4
: providing displayed or recorded information in numerical digits
a digital watch
5
: characterized by electronic and computerized technology
living in a digital world
Medical Definition
digital
1 of 2 adjective
dig·i·tal
ˈdij-ət-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or supplying one or more fingers or toes
a digital branch of an artery
2
: done with a finger
a digital rectal examination
digital
2 of 2 noun
: a finger or toe
… critical ischemia of the digitals of upper and lower limbs …—Nadjib Schahab et al., Journal of Vascular Medicine and Surgery
Nadjib Schahab et al., Journal of Vascular Medicine and Surgery
also
: an artery or nerve that supplies the fingers or toes
… the doctor reported that ulnar palmar and radial palmar digitals' decreased sensation had a maximum upper extremity impairment of 9 percent … —US Fed News
US Fed News
More from Merriam-Webster on digital
Nglish: Translation of digital for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of digital for Arabic Speakers
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