browser
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /brˈaʊzə/
US
- /ˈbraʊzər/
Description
- web navigator
- software to access websites
- page-viewing program
- internet gateway
A browser isn't just someone casually flipping through books or shop shelves—it's the specialized software you use to explore the world of the internet. Think of it as your digital vehicle, transporting you from one website to another. Popular browsers like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge provide different ways to view and interact with online content. You browse the web with a browser. While the word originally referred to a person perusing catalogs or library stacks, it is now mainly used for software that helps you navigate the internet.
The word "browser" has undergone a fascinating evolution. Once upon a time, a browser was simply a person who carefully examined goods in a shop or meticulously studied books and catalogs. Today, however, when we talk about a "browser," we are almost always referring to a software application that serves as a gateway to the internet.
Think of it like this: the internet is a massive library filled with billions of pages. A browser acts as both your librarian and your reading lamp—it finds the specific information you need, renders it in an understandable format, and allows you to interact with it. Leading examples like Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge act as the essential interface between you and the web's vast data.
Modern browsers are far more than mere viewers for text and images; they are powerful platforms that play high-definition videos, run complex applications via extensions, and help manage your digital security. They perform the heavy lifting of translating complex code into the visual, functional websites we use every day. Every time you "surf" the web, your browser is the indispensable key to unlocking its endless possibilities.
Examples
- 1
Web display
The site looks better in a modern browser.
- 2
Troubleshooting
If the page won't load, try opening it in a different browser.
- 3
Search history
I found the recipe again by checking my browser history.
- 4
Open tabs
She had so many browser tabs open that her laptop started to slow down.
- 5
Device settings
Set Chrome as your default browser on this laptop.
Phrase
default browser
the one your device opens automatically
- 6
Web app
The game runs in your browser, so you don't need to install anything.
Phrase
in your browser
through the browser, not as a separate program
- 7
Casual shopper
The antique shop gets a lot of browsers on weekends, but not many buyers.
Meaning
browser
someone who looks around without planning to buy
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- browsernoun
Forms
- browserspluralnoun