Definition

A type of graphic image made up of small dots called pixels, where each dot is represented by bits of data.

Example

The designer saved the artwork as a bitmap file to preserve the image quality.

Conversation

Have you ever worked with a bitmap image before?

Yeah, I used one for my digital art project last semester.

That's cool! What do you like most about using bitmaps?

I love how detailed they can be, but they do take up a lot of space.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bitmap → It is formed from "bit" (a binary digit, representing a 0 or 1 in computing) and "map" (from Old English "mappa", meaning a representation or diagram). The word "bitmap" refers to a representation of an image using bits, where each bit corresponds to a pixel in the image.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'map' that shows how 'bits' of information come together to form an image — that's what a bitmap is.

Visually Confused Words