software

noun

soft·​ware ˈsȯft-ˌwer 

: 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

In April, Zoox pulled 258 vehicles off the streets to update its software after its testing vehicles were involved in two accidents with motorcyclists. —Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 18 June 2025

Open-source generally refers to software in which the source code is made freely available on the web for possible modification and redistribution. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 18 June 2025

The Play Store has security checks that help reduce the risk of downloading malicious software. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025

However, viewers aren’t demonstrating as much focus on the software of their streaming hardware. —ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for software

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

software

noun

soft·​ware ˈsȯf-ˌtwa(ə)r 

-ˌtwe(ə)r

: the programs and related information used by a computer