Words / B1

yoo-es-BEEST-ik/ˌjuː es ˈbiː stɪk/

A USB stick (id: usb-stick) is a small memory device that plugs into a computer (UK; also a memory stick or USB flash drive). US flash drive / thumb drive. A hard drive is larger and usually stays in or beside the computer. Collocation: save it on a USB stick; plug the stick in. Countable.

Meaning

A small memory device that plugs into a USB port (UK; also a memory stick).

Examples

• “Save the photos on a USB stick before you leave the library.”
• “Back up the coursework on a USB stick as well as in the cloud.”
• “I left my USB stick in the library computer.”

Good to know

a USB stick (UK). Close: a memory stick. US: a flash drive. Contrast: a hard drive.

Near in meaning

memory stick, flash drive

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