INITIALIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does initialize mean? 

• INITIALIZE (verb)
  The verb INITIALIZE has 2 senses:

1. assign an initial value to a computer program

2. divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store data

  Familiarity information: INITIALIZE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INITIALIZE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they initialize    ... he / she / it initializes   
Past simple: initialized   
Past participle: initialized   
-ing form: initializing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Assign an initial value to a computer program

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

initialise; initialize

Hypernyms (to "initialize" is one way to...):

determine; set (fix conclusively or authoritatively)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

initialization ((computer science) the format of sectors on the surface of a hard disk drive so that the operating system can access them and setting a starting position)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store data

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

format; initialise; initialize

Context example:

Please format this disk before entering data!

Hypernyms (to "initialize" is one way to...):

carve up; dissever; divide; separate; split; split up (separate into parts or portions)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

initialization ((computer science) the format of sectors on the surface of a hard disk drive so that the operating system can access them and setting a starting position)