cursor
noun
cur·sor ˈkər-sər 
-ˌsȯr
: a movable item used to mark a position: such as
a
: a transparent slide with a line attached to a slide rule
b
: a visual cue (such as a flashing vertical line) on a video display that indicates position (as for data entry)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Users can view what the S7's camera sees, and even remotely control the robot vac via an on-screen cursor. 
Stewart Wolpin, Popular Mechanics, 12 Aug. 2022 Instead of moving a cursor around in desperate search of things to interact with in the correct order, Stray asks players to slink around in 3D as a tiny-yet-potent hero. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 18 July 2022 That would make the learning process into something more akin to seeing a cursor move in the right direction and figuring out—through biofeedback processes that no one really understands yet—how to do it better and more reliably. Adam Rogers, Wired, 9 Nov. 2021 To explore the current drought status of Ohio, the rest of the Midwest, and the United States, interact with the map below by dragging the map with your cursor or finger or the controls in the top left corner. Zachary Smith, cleveland, 28 July 2022 As well as having the traditional numeric keypad, this little gadget also has a cursor cluster and function keys from F13 to F15. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2022 But that mindset can quickly lead one to become overwhelmed in a digital space, frantically moving a cursor around to try and virtually touch everything on the screen. Todd Martensgame Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 Type with the keyboard, tap in the text field, move the cursor, and insert QuickType suggestions, all without needing to stop Dictation. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 23 June 2022 The user interface has been given a galactic makeover: The Magic Remotes onscreen cursor can be controlled by moving the device like a lightsaber. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 May 2022 See More
Stewart Wolpin, Popular Mechanics, 12 Aug. 2022 Instead of moving a cursor around in desperate search of things to interact with in the correct order, Stray asks players to slink around in 3D as a tiny-yet-potent hero. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 18 July 2022 That would make the learning process into something more akin to seeing a cursor move in the right direction and figuring out—through biofeedback processes that no one really understands yet—how to do it better and more reliably. Adam Rogers, Wired, 9 Nov. 2021 To explore the current drought status of Ohio, the rest of the Midwest, and the United States, interact with the map below by dragging the map with your cursor or finger or the controls in the top left corner. Zachary Smith, cleveland, 28 July 2022 As well as having the traditional numeric keypad, this little gadget also has a cursor cluster and function keys from F13 to F15. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2022 But that mindset can quickly lead one to become overwhelmed in a digital space, frantically moving a cursor around to try and virtually touch everything on the screen. Todd Martensgame Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 Type with the keyboard, tap in the text field, move the cursor, and insert QuickType suggestions, all without needing to stop Dictation. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 23 June 2022 The user interface has been given a galactic makeover: The Magic Remotes onscreen cursor can be controlled by moving the device like a lightsaber. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin cursor "runner, courier," from currere "to run" + -tor, agent suffix — more at current entry 1
Note: For cursor as agent noun of currere in place of expected *co(r)stor see note at course entry 1. As with other Latin deverbal derivatives, the zero grade ablaut of the past participle has been generalized with all suffixes ending in -t-.
First Known Use
1594, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
cursor
noun
cur·sor ˈkər-sər
-ˌsȯr
: a symbol (as an arrow or blinking line) on a computer screen that shows where the user is working