Upload means to transfer digital computer files from a client to a server. An example of uploading is transferring a video from a smartphone to a website, or transferring a PDF from a laptop to an archive website. The term upload comes into the English language in the late 1970s as computers develop. Upload may be used as either a noun or verb, related words are uploads, uploaded, uploading.
Download means to transfer digital computer files from a server to a client. An example of downloading is transferring a GIF from a website to a smartphone, or transferring a PDF from an online archive onto a desktop computer. The term download comes into the English language in the late 1970s as computers develop. Download may be used as either a noun or verb, related words are downloads, downloaded, downloading.
Examples
Pressing harder than normal on the Facebook icon will pop up three new options: write a post, take a photo or video, and upload a photo or video. (The International Business Times)
Defying public pressure, the North Maluku Police have reiterated that they will continue their investigation into alleged defamation by a local activist who uploaded to YouTube a video showing a Ternate Police officer accepting money from a traffic violator. (The Jakarta Post)
In the meantime, the stolen credentials were being sold for thousands of dollars online, and used to upload dodgy webpages and content to websites, and commit other sorts of mischief. (The Register)
Spotify is changing our music consumption significantly—we’re moving towards renting, not owning—but the paid download isn’t dead yet. (TIME)
The automatic Windows 10 download has been shown to take up between 3.5GB and 6GB on a user’s computer. (The Guardian)
It’s also a whole new app you have to download separately even though you’ll just share what you make back into Instagram anyway. (Popular Mechanics)