flash-drive

This term refers specifically to the hardware device rather than the memory technology itself. While often used interchangeably with "USB drive" or "thumb drive," "flash-drive" emphasizes the type of non-volatile memory used for storage.

In modern technical contexts, the term is increasingly viewed as a legacy descriptor as cloud storage and integrated SSDs become more prevalent. It is used in both casual and professional registers to describe the physical act of transporting files between disconnected machines.