English · Science & Technology
virtual reality
/ˈvɜː.tʃu.əl riˈæl.ɪ.ti/
[/ˈvɜː.tʃu.əl riˈæl.ɪ.ti/]
simulated 3D world
Advancednoun
Definition
A computer-generated environment that a person can explore and interact with, usually using a headset.
Example
Wearing the headset, she stepped into a virtual reality world that felt astonishingly real.
Wearing the headset, she stepped into a virtual reality world that felt astonishingly real.
Etymology
Combining 'virtual' (Latin 'virtus', power, capacity) and 'reality'; popularised in the late 20th century.
How & Where It’s Used
Often abbreviated 'VR'; used in gaming, training, and design.