user interface

noun

plural user interfaces

: software that is designed to allow a computer user to interact with the operating system of a machine or system (such as by selecting presented options or entering text commands)

Likewise, the user interface is remarkably unintuitive, requiring a whirlwind of relentless mouse clicking to move, talk, touch, look, or manipulate onscreen objects.

—Scott A. May

… a new user interface he vows will change the way people use computers.

—InfoWorld

especially : graphical user interface

—abbreviation UI

Examples of user interface in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But using a separate piece of hardware for the purpose means carrying around yet another thing, charging it, sometimes paying for a cellular subscription for it, and learning a new user interface. —John Koetsier, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

Lasso ultimately determined that Microsoft’s fix involved cutting off access to a special Bing user interface, once available at cc.bingj.com, to the public. —Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 27 Feb. 2025

Performance issues, compatibility with web applications and user interface inconsistencies can all negatively impact user experience and hinder implementation. —Ashish Khanna, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

The intuitive user interface further enhances the user experience, making complex robotic control feel surprisingly straightforward and accessible. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for user interface

• asparaginase
• dehydrogenase
• lipoxygenase
• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase

Kids Definition

user interface

noun

: software that is designed to allow a computer user to interact with the operating system of a machine or system

especially : graphical user interface