software

noun

soft·​ware ˈsȯft-ˌwer How to pronounce software (audio)
: something used or associated with and usually contrasted with hardware: such as
a
: programs for a computer
accounting software
b
dated : the entire set of programs, procedures, and related documentation associated with a mechanical or electronic system and especially a computer system
c
: materials for use with audiovisual equipment
… television programs, music, and movies are now called software, by the way …Robert Bixby

Examples of software in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Candelas has served as District 8’s representative since 2023, when the City Council appointed him to the position over Evergreen School District Board Trustee President Patricia Andrade, city analyst Salvador Alvarez, software manager Sukhdev Singh Bainiwal, and his opponent in 2024, Truong. Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 The key lies in optimizing each layer of quantum computing individually while carefully coordinating hardware, software and algorithms. Yuval Boger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Election officials are on guard for the equipment failures and software issues that snarled some local vote counts in prior elections – as well as violent threats that have infected the democratic process. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 Chinese autonomous driving software developer WeRide went public on the Nasdaq last month, while robotaxi operator Pony.ai has filed for a U.S. IPO. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for software 

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of software was in 1958

Dictionary Entries Near software

Cite this Entry

“Software.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/software. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

software

noun
soft·​ware ˈsȯf-ˌtwa(ə)r How to pronounce software (audio)
-ˌtwe(ə)r
: the programs and related information used by a computer
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