TechnologyAugust 22, 2026

virtualization

vur-chu-uh-li-ZAY-shun

Definition

The process of using software to create multiple simulated or virtual computer systems on a single physical hardware device.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'virtus' (meaning strength or power) via 'virtual' (meaning possessing the essential qualities of something without being that thing physically), with the suffix '-ization' added to denote the act or process.

In the news

The article describes virtualization as a key technological advancement of the 1990s that enabled a centralized system for computer networks, allowing a handful of data centers to support many virtual servers.

What Did Data Centers Do Before AI?

Read the full article ↗

BGR

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