Meaning – The term desktop, refers to the graphical user interface, that allows users to interact with various elements of the operating system, in order to complete the desired tasks.
There are many different operating systems in the market, each with their own unique GUI (Graphical User Interface). The desktop allows users to view this GUI and all the elements within the same, and interact with them, using an input device such as a mouse, joystick or keyboard, in order to perform certain actions, or accomplish certain tasks.
It includes elements such as the desktop background (or wallpaper) and icons of files and folders you may have saved to the desktop.
Example of usage – “After booting up the new PC, she spent the first few minutes, exploring the various features and elements that were on the desktop.”