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

Even though the stock gave up some of those gains on Wednesday, the software company’s valuation appears way out of market fundamentals. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025

Finance and human resources software company Workday is laying off 1,750 employees, essentially cutting down its total workforce by 8.5%. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025

The creator economy consists of people who use software to drive content directly to their customers. —George Avalos, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

The agency’s acting director, Charles Ezell, was previously OPM’s data chief and has a background in software development that includes work at the defense company Northrop Grumman. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

software

noun

soft·​ware ˈsȯf-ˌtwa(ə)r 

-ˌtwe(ə)r

: the programs and related information used by a computer