Cmd
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Command key |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
| Also written | CMD |
Cmd has two meanings. It stands for Command key (computer) or Command Prompt (computer).
Meanings of Cmd at a glance
| # | Cmd stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Command key | Technology & Computing › Computer |
| 2 | Command Prompt | Technology & Computing › Computer |
1. Command key
Technology & Computing · Computer Abbreviations
Main modifier key on Apple keyboards, marked with a looped-square symbol, used in shortcuts such as Cmd+C (copy), Cmd+V (paste) and Cmd+Q (quit). It plays the role that Ctrl plays on Windows and Linux.
Example: Press Cmd+Space to open Spotlight and search for any app.
Designer Susan Kare chose the looped-square symbol for the 1984 Macintosh after Steve Jobs reportedly objected to the Apple logo appearing all over the menus; it derives from a Scandinavian sign marking places of interest. Older Apple keyboards also printed an apple on the key, earning it the nickname "Apple key". Keyboard guides often write the symbol as ⌘.
2. Command Prompt (CMD)
Technology & Computing · Computer Abbreviations
Windows command-line interpreter, cmd.exe, which runs batch files and commands such as ipconfig, dir and ping. It succeeded COMMAND.COM, the MS-DOS shell, starting with Windows NT.
Example: Open CMD as administrator and run sfc /scannow to repair system files.
Microsoft promotes PowerShell and Windows Terminal as its successors, but CMD remains in every Windows release for compatibility. Its scripts use the .bat or .cmd extension. Typing "cmd" in the Run box (Windows key+R) opens it, and the prompt shows the current folder, such as C:\Users\Name>, the origin of the phrase "C prompt".
Related abbreviations
More computer abbreviations
- CAD – Computer-aided design
- CAM – Computer-aided manufacturing
- cd – Change directory
- CHKDSK – Check Disk
- CJK – Chinese, Japanese and Korean
- CLI – Command-line interface
- CS – Computer science
- Ctrl – Control key
- Ctrl+Alt+Del – Control-Alt-Delete
- DC – Domain controller
- Del – Delete key
- DISM – Deployment Image Servicing and Management