Is virtualization the same as cloud computing?

No. Virtualization is a technology; cloud computing often uses virtualization, but it is broader.

Is virtualization a common word in IT?

Yes. It is a common term in business, cloud, and server management.

How do I use virtualization in a sentence?

You can say, “The company invested in virtualization to save space and money.”

What is the difference between virtualization and simulation?

Virtualization creates a working digital version. Simulation only models how something behaves.

← Dictionary

virtualization

/ˌvɜː.tʃu.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

IELTSAcademic

noun

Virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of a computer system, server, storage device, or network. It lets one physical machine act like several separate ones.

Virtualization helped the company use fewer servers.
We use virtualization for testing new software.
Virtualization can reduce hardware costs.

Adinary Nuance

Virtualization is not the same as simulation. A simulation copies how something behaves, but virtualization creates a usable digital version of the real thing. It is also more specific than "emulation," which focuses on copying another system's behavior. In IT, virtualization usually means sharing one physical machine across several virtual systems.

In other languages

Vietnamese: ảo hóa
Spanish: virtualización
Chinese: 虚拟化
Japanese: 仮想化
Korean: 가상화

Etymology

From virtual and the suffix -ization. It became common in computing in the late 20th century, especially with servers and software.

Common phrases

server virtualizationdesktop virtualizationvirtualization technologyvirtualization software

Synonyms

emulation simulation digitization

Frequently asked questions

Is virtualization the same as cloud computing?: No. Virtualization is a technology; cloud computing often uses virtualization, but it is broader.
Is virtualization a common word in IT?: Yes. It is a common term in business, cloud, and server management.
How do I use virtualization in a sentence?: You can say, “The company invested in virtualization to save space and money.”
What is the difference between virtualization and simulation?: Virtualization creates a working digital version. Simulation only models how something behaves.