Unit 8: A2 Vocabulary—Technology and Media
Keyboard
Definition: A panel of keys that operate a computer or typewriter.
Example: “I type on my keyboard to write emails.”
Monitor
Definition: An output device that displays information in pictorial form.
Example: “She watched the video on her computer monitor.”
Printer
Definition: A machine for printing text or pictures onto paper.
Example: “I need to use the printer to print my homework.”
Speaker
Definition: An output device that produces sound.
Example: “He connected his phone to the speakers to play music.”
Headphones
Definition: A pair of small speakers that are worn on or around the head over a user’s ears.
Example: “She uses headphones to listen to music without disturbing others.”
Mouse
Definition: A hand-operated input device that controls the cursor on a computer screen.
Example: “He clicked the mouse to open the file.”
Remote Control
Definition: A device used to operate a machine from a distance.
Example: “She used the remote control to change the TV channel.”
Touchscreen
Definition: A display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area.
Example: “Many smartphones have a touchscreen interface.”
E-book
Definition: A digital book that can be read on a computer or handheld device.
Example: “He downloaded an e-book to read on his tablet.”
Streaming
Definition: The transmission of data (audio or video) over the internet in a continuous flow.
Example: “We watched the movie via a streaming service.”
Download
Definition: To transfer data from one computer system to another, typically from a larger to a smaller system.
Example: “I need to download the latest updates for the software.”
Upload
Definition: To transfer data from a smaller to a larger computer system, typically to the internet.
Example: “She uploaded the photos from her vacation to her social media account.”
Chat
Definition: An informal conversation or exchange of messages.
Example: “We had a chat online about our weekend plans.”
Forum
Definition: An online platform where people can post and reply to messages on particular topics.
Example: “He posted a question on the tech forum and got many helpful replies.”
Podcast
Definition: A digital audio file available for downloading, typically as part of a series.
Example: “I listen to educational podcasts during my commute.”
Vlog
Definition: A blog in which the postings are primarily in video form.
Example: “She started a vlog to share her travel experiences.”
Selfie
Definition: A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically with a smartphone or webcam.
Example: “He took a selfie with his friends at the concert.”
Link
Definition: A reference in a hypertext document to another document or resource.
Example: “Click on the link to visit our website.”
Profile
Definition: A user’s personal information and settings on a social media platform.
Example: “She updated her profile with a new picture.”
Hashtag
Definition: A word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#), used on social media websites to identify messages on a specific topic.
Example: “He used the hashtag #travel in his Instagram post.”
Stream
Definition: To transmit or receive data over the internet as a continuous flow.
Example: “They streamed the live concert online.”
Subscription
Definition: An arrangement to receive something, typically a publication or service, regularly by paying in advance.
Example: “She has a subscription to an online magazine.”
Browser
Definition: A software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web.
Example: “He opened his web browser to search for recipes.”
File
Definition: A digital document stored on a computer.
Example: “I saved the file to my desktop.”
Notification
Definition: A message or alert that informs you about something on your device.
Example: “She received a notification about a new message.”