WSL
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Windows Subsystem for Linux |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Technology & Computing, Sports |
WSL has three meanings. The most common are Windows Subsystem for Linux (computer) and Women's Super League (sports league and organization); it can also stand for World Surf League.
Meanings of WSL at a glance
| # | WSL stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Windows Subsystem for Linux | Technology & Computing › Computer |
| 2 | Women's Super League | Sports › Sports League and Organization |
| 3 | World Surf League | Sports › Sports League and Organization |
1. Windows Subsystem for Linux
Technology & Computing · Computer Abbreviations
Windows feature that runs Linux distributions such as Ubuntu directly on Windows 10 and 11, giving developers a Linux shell, tools and file system without managing a separate virtual machine. It installs with the command wsl --install.
Example: I run the build in WSL because the scripts assume Bash and GNU tools.
The first version, introduced in 2016, translated Linux system calls; WSL 2 (2019) runs a real Linux kernel inside a lightweight virtual machine for better compatibility. WSLg added support for Linux GUI apps in 2021. Microsoft open-sourced most of WSL in 2025, one of the most requested changes on its GitHub tracker.
2. Women's Super League
Sports · Sports League and Organization Abbreviations
Top tier of women's soccer in England, contested by 12 clubs in 2025-26, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City. It became fully professional in 2018 and has been run since 2024 by WSL Football, a company owned by its clubs rather than the Football Association.
Example: Chelsea won six straight WSL titles, the first five under Emma Hayes and the sixth under Sonia Bompastor.
Founded in 2011 as a semi-professional summer league and switched to a winter calendar in 2017. Barclays has been the title sponsor since 2019. Not to be confused with the World Surf League, which shares the initials, or with the men's Premier League, a separate organization.
3. World Surf League
Sports · Sports League and Organization Abbreviations
Governing body and organizer of professional surfing's elite circuit, the Championship Tour, which visits breaks such as Pipeline in Hawaii and Teahupo'o in Tahiti. The season ends with a one-day finals event that decides the men's and women's world champions.
Example: Gabriel Medina won his third WSL world title in 2021.
Known as the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) from 1983 until it rebranded as the World Surf League in 2015. The WSL also runs the Challenger Series, big-wave events and longboard championships. Surfing made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.
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