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

What to Consider The user interface and offline functionality have room for improvement. —Séamus Bellamy, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2025

The user interface and navigation tools mirror those on the desktop. —PCMAG, 4 Feb. 2025

Automotive experts have noted that the user interface GM offers customers lags behind CarPlay in usability and appearance. —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025

The season download option will be located next to the share button in the Netflix user interface. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

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