What does hogging mean?
Hogging means taking or occupying more than a fair share of a limited resource. The word is especially common in computing: a process may hog CPU cycles, memory, or network bandwidth, while an oversized file can hog storage space. It can also describe a person who monopolizes a conversation, dominates the attention of a group, or takes more than a reasonable share of available space. The expression generally carries a mildly negative or disapproving tone because it implies unfair or excessive consumption rather than simple use. Although the word is often associated with technical language, its figurative use is broad and established. It is frequently used in participial constructions, as in “a bandwidth-hogging application” or “she was hogging the spotlight.”
To take or occupy an excessive or unfair share of a limited resource.
"The backup process was hogging the network and slowing down every other device."
Usually informal and disapproving; common in computing, media, and figurative conversation contexts.
Characterized by consuming or occupying a disproportionately large share of a limited resource.
"The company removed the bandwidth-hogging application from its free service."
This use typically appears before a noun, especially in technical or media contexts.
A digital hog may never weigh more than a few megabytes, but it can still slow an entire network to a crawl.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hogging
The word derives from “hog,” which comes from Old Norse hággastur, a term associated with a hog or swine and, by extension, greed or selfish excess. The present participle “hogging” developed the sense of consuming something excessively, especially in British usage. Later, the verb was extended to monopolizing attention or other limited resources. Its figurative computer usage follows the same idea of one user or program consuming a disproportionately large share of a shared system.
Related word forms
How hogging is actually used
The term is informal and mildly disapproving. It is especially common in computing and media contexts, where it describes a process, device, or person consuming an unusually large share of bandwidth, memory, storage, space, or attention.
Easily confused with hogging
Hogging means taking or occupying an excessive share of a resource, whereas hoarding means accumulating and keeping something, often more than is needed.