Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

file

2 verb
     
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file2 S3
1 [transitive] to keep papers, documents etc in a particular place so that you can find them easily:
The contracts are filed alphabetically.
file something under something
I looked to see if anything was filed under my name.
file something away
The handbooks are filed away for future reference.
2 [transitive] to give or send an official report or news story to your employer:
The officer left the scene without filing a report.
3 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] law to give a document to a court or other organization so that it can be officially recorded and dealt with
file a complaint/lawsuit/petition etc (against somebody)
Mr Genoa filed a formal complaint against the department.
file for
The Morrisons have filed for divorce.
Today is the deadline for Americans to file their tax returns.
4 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if people file somewhere, they walk there in a line:
We began to file out into the car park.
The mourners filed past the coffin.
5 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive]TZD to use a metal or wooden tool to rub something in order to make it smooth:
File down the sharp edges.
She sat filing her nails.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
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