read/write head

[reed-rahyt]

noun

Computers.

1. an electromagnetic device, as in a disk or tape drive, that reads data from or writes data on a magnetic disk or tape.

read-write head

/ ˈriːdˈraɪt /

noun

1. computing an electromagnet that can both read and write information on a magnetic medium such as magnetic tape or disk

Example Sentences

Because it does not have to rely on a read-write head to access files on the spinning platter, a computer running its system from a solid-state drive will start up quicker, open programs more rapidly and generally zip along faster than a computer with a mechanical hard drive.

From New York Times

This moves the tape forward with the read-write head positioned at the end of the following record.

From Project Gutenberg

Informal generic term for `floating-head' magnetic-disk drives in which the read-write head planes over the disk surface on an air cushion.

From Project Gutenberg