subsystem

noun

sub·​sys·​tem ˈsəb-ˌsi-stəm How to pronounce subsystem (audio)
variants or less commonly sub-system
plural subsystems also sub-systems
: a system that is part of a larger system
These subsystems of the climate system include the atmosphere, the oceans (both upper and deep oceans), the sea ice, the ice sheets, the land surface, and the biota.Stephen H. Schneider
Voyager 2 was the troublesome twin. Even before launch, failures in its onboard computer subsystems had to be rectified. The problems continued after liftoff as the attitude-control subsystem behaved in an unexpected fashion.William I. McLaughlin

Examples of subsystem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In addition, the Barracuda uses off-the-shelf components for its subsystems, which helps with logistics. David Szondy, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2024 The new team set out to diversify the company’s product line from optical components into integrated optical subsystems, which were becoming a hot commodity for telecommunications broadband providers building out the fiber optic backbone for the exploding internet demand. Phoebe Liu, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024 If the vision subsystem has a hard time perceiving what’s in front of it in direct sunlight, then the robots may suddenly go blind and stop working if a ray of sun comes through a window. Hans Peter Brondmo, WIRED, 10 Sep. 2024 Stifel initiates Advanced Energy Industries as buy The firm says the supplier of power delivery subsystems is well positioned. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subsystem 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subsystem.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsystem was in 1756

Dictionary Entries Near subsystem

Cite this Entry

“Subsystem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsystem. Accessed 30 Sep. 2024.

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