visual display units

Meaning

1. 1nounpluralBritishold-fashioned

   Computer screens or monitors, considered as the devices on which text and images are shown to the user.

   Grammar: Plural form of visual display unit; often abbreviated to VDUs.

   Patterns

   • work with visual display units
   • regulations on visual display units

   The office had rows of visual display units humming on every desk.

   Staff who spend hours at visual display units should take regular breaks.

   New rules covered the height and glare of visual display units.

Word forms

Common combinations

work at visual display units

Many clerks work at visual display units all day.

use visual display units

Employees who use visual display units are entitled to an eye test.

visual display units regulations

The visual display units regulations require adjustable chairs.

glare from visual display units

Blinds reduce glare from visual display units.

Synonyms and how they differ

monitors

Monitors is the standard modern word, while visual display units sounds like older British office language.

screens

Screens is the everyday word and can include phones and televisions, which visual display units normally does not.

computer displays

Computer displays is a neutral technical phrase that is easier for international readers than the British VDU.

Word family

visual adjective

relating to seeing

display verb

to show something so it can be seen

VDU abbreviation

short form of visual display unit

visualize verb

to form a picture in the mind

Commonly confused: visual display units or video display?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “visual display units”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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