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default value
/dɪˈfɔːlt ˈvæljuː/
pre‑assigned value
If you don’t specify a size, the program uses the default value.
The program uses the pre‑assigned value when none is given.
Technology
technical
A value automatically assigned to a variable, parameter, or setting when no explicit value is provided.
The function’s timeout parameter has a default value of 30 seconds.
If you don’t set a timeout, the function will wait 30 seconds before stopping.
Default values can often be overridden by user input or configuration files.
Collocations
set a default valueassign a pre‑selected value that will be used unless changeduse the default valuerely on the pre‑assigned value when no other value is supplied
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Word Origin
From the verb 'default' (Middle English, from Old French 'defaulter' meaning 'to fail to fulfill a duty') combined with 'value' (from Latin 'valere' – to be strong, worth). The phrase entered computing jargon in the 1960s with early programming languages that allowed automatic initialisation of variables.
Usage Notes
Common in programming, databases, and configuration files. Always check documentation because a default value may not be the optimal or safest choice.
English Dictionary