file

To file means to start the process of a legal action, to register or to put something on public record. (verb)

An example of to file is a husband submitting the paperwork to the court to start the process of divorcing his wife.

To file means to put important papers away in an orderly way. (verb)

An example of to file is arranging papers in a cabinet in alphabetical order.

A file is a container into which important papers are arranged so they are easy to find in the future. (noun)

An example of a file is a cabinet with drawers and folders for papers.

See file in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb filed, filing

1. to arrange (papers, etc.) in order for future reference
2. to put (a paper, etc.) in its proper place or order
☆ to dispatch (a news story) to a newspaper, news agency, etc.
to register (an application, etc.)
to put (a legal document) on public record
to initiate (a divorce suit or other legal action)

intransitive verb

noun

a container, as a folder, cabinet, etc., for keeping papers in order
an orderly arrangement of papers, cards, etc., as for reference
a line of persons or things situated one behind another
any of the rows of squares on a chessboard extending from one player's end to the other
Comput. a collection of data (or, often, of logically related records) stored and dealt with as a single, named unit

Related Forms:

noun

a steel tool with a rough, ridged surface for smoothing, grinding down, or cutting through something
Brit., Slang a crafty rascal

transitive verb filed, filing

to smooth, grind down, or cut through as with a file

transitive verb filed, filing

Archaic to make foul; defile

See file in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(fīl)

noun

A container, such as a cabinet or folder, for keeping papers in order.
A collection of papers or published materials kept or arranged in convenient order.
Computer Science A collection of related data or program records stored as a unit with a single name.
a. A line of persons, animals, or things positioned one behind the other.
b. A line of troops or military vehicles so positioned.
Games Any of the rows of squares that run forward and backward between players on a playing board in chess or checkers.
Archaic A list or roll.

verb filed filed, fil·ing, files

verb, transitive

To put or keep (papers, for example) in useful order for storage or reference.
To enter (a legal document) on public official record.
To send or submit (copy) to a newspaper.
To carry out the first stage of (a lawsuit, for example): filed charges against my associate.

verb, intransitive

(fīl)

noun

Any of several hardened steel tools with cutting ridges for forming, smoothing, or reducing especially metallic surfaces.
A nail file.
Chiefly British A crafty or artful person.

transitive verb filed filed, fil·ing, files

To smooth, reduce, or remove with or as if with a file.

(click for a larger image)