file
noun [ C ]
uk/faɪl/ us IT
a collection of information that is stored on a computer as one unit under one name:
text/computer/image file Click on the command and a box pops up showing how big the text file is and how long it should take to save to your hard drive.
save/create/copy a file It's best to save the file to a common directory.
open/read/view a file You will need Adobe Acrobat installed in order to open the file.
write to/edit a file It is necessary to designate a group of people who are allowed to edit the file.
close/delete a file If you reboot your computer with the startup disk in the drive, you'll get to a prompt from which you can delete the file.
a written record kept on a person, subject, or organization:
Employees who get an award for good work have a notice of it put in their employee file.
The FBI does not keep a file on every citizen of the United States.
refer to/read a file The company won't know the full details until they have read his file.
a container used to store papers and other documents together, especially in an office:
Many organizations are doing good work around policy, but too often it sits forgotten in a file somewhere.
on file
kept as part of a written record on paper or on a computer:
I received an acknowledgment from the HR department that my name was on file.
You should keep it on file for future reference.
See also
box file
data file
log file
PDF
program file
text file
zip file
file
verb [ T ]
uk/faɪl/ usto store information or documents carefully so that they are easy to find, either in a place such as a folder or desk, or on a computer:
The effective e-manager will make it clear where on the system to file documents.
file sth under sth An organization with initials in the name, eg W H Smith, will be filed under the initial, in this case W.
file sth away It's tempting to file away all the paperwork relating to your pension and forget about it.
LAW
to officially record something such as a complaint:
file a lawsuit/a suit/charges He is planning to file a lawsuit against the current chairman for an alleged violation of a clause in his contract.
file a complaint/claim/petition
ACCOUNTING
to officially send something such as your accounts:
Any gain or loss should be reported when you file your tax return.
It was found that the company had failed to file accounts at Companies House.