Ctrl-Alt-Delete

English

Alternative forms

• Ctrl-Alt-Del
• Ctrl+Alt+Del
• Control-Alt-Delete
• Control+Alt+Delete
• ctrl-alt-delete

Etymology

Key combination of Ctrl, Alt and Delete. In many computer systems, this interrupts or shuts down the system or some part of it or opens up a shut-down menu.

Noun

Ctrl-Alt-Delete (uncountable)

1. (computing) The simultaneous key combination of Ctrl, Alt, and Delete.

   Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to reboot.

Interjection

Ctrl-Alt-Delete

1. (science fiction, sometimes humorous) Said by a sentient machine to express the desire to kill or destroy something or someone.

Verb

Ctrl-Alt-Delete (third-person singular simple present Ctrl-Alt-Deletes, present participle Ctrl-Alt-Deleting, simple past and past participle Ctrl-Alt-Deleted)

1. (computing, literal, transitive, intransitive) To press Ctrl, Alt, and Delete simultaneously to restart.
2. (figurative, transitive, intransitive) To reset.