DictionaryblobBinary data object
noun

blob

A collection of binary data stored as a single object in a computer system.

The database stores the uploaded photograph as a binary blob.

Etymology

The computing name evokes a blob of uninterpreted data. “Binary large object” is the conventional expansion of BLOB, not a separate ancient root.

More examples

  • The application retrieves each blob by its identifier.
  • Several large blobs increased the backup size.
  • The system keeps the document's bytes in a single blob.

Forms

blob · blobs

Similar words

file
A named data container that may exist outside a database.
object
A broader computing unit, not necessarily opaque binary data.