noun

virtual-machine

virtual machine

I run Windows on a virtual machine on my Mac.

I run Windows on a virtual machine on my Mac.

The server hosts several virtual machines.

The server hosts several virtual machines.

a/an virtual machine an emulated computer system We need to set up a new virtual machine.

Synonyms: VM, guest OS; Antonyms: physical machine, bare-metal server

A compound of 'virtual' (existing in effect, not in reality) and 'machine' (a computer).

Think of it literally: a 'machine' that is 'virtual'. It's a computer running inside another computer.

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