DNS — Domain Name System
Definition: The internet system that translates human-readable domain names (google.com) into IP addresses that computers use to connect.
Example
When you type a URL, DNS turns it into an IP. DNS failures are the most common cause of "the site is down" reports.
When you'll hear it
DNS shows up most often in engineering planning, architecture reviews, and sprint retrospectives. When someone uses it, they're usually referring to domain name system — and they expect the room to already know what that means.
FAQs
What does DNS stand for?
DNS stands for Domain Name System.
What does DNS mean in technology and engineering?
The internet system that translates human-readable domain names (google.com) into IP addresses that computers use to connect.
Where will I hear DNS used at work?
DNS comes up most often in engineering planning, architecture reviews, and sprint retrospectives. It's used as shorthand for domain name system, so people assume you already know the term.