AV

In computing, AV refers to "anti-virus" software, which is designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious programs such as viruses, ransomware, and spyware. Popular AV tools from companies like Norton and McAfee run in the background to protect devices and data from threats. This meaning is especially common in IT and cybersecurity discussions, where AV is used as shorthand among professionals.

AV most commonly stands for "audio-visual," referring to equipment and systems that combine sound and visual elements. This includes projectors, speakers, microphones, video conferencing tools, and presentation setups used in classrooms, offices, and events.

AV can also stand for "autonomous vehicle," meaning a self-driving car or transport system that uses sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to navigate without human input. This usage is common in tech, engineering, and transport innovation contexts. (Think companies like Tesla and Waymo.)

AV is an initialism, because it's pronounced letter by letter — "A-V" It's not an acronym, as they form pronounceable words (abbreviations like FANG, GOAT, NASA). In short: if you can say it like a word, it's an acronym. If you have to spell it out, it's an initialism.