system

noun

sys·​tem ˈsi-stəm 

1

: a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole

a number system

: such as

a(1)

: a group of interacting bodies under the influence of related forces

a gravitational system

(2)

: an assemblage of substances that is in or tends to equilibrium

a thermodynamic system

b(1)

: a group of body organs that together perform one or more vital functions

the digestive system

(2)

: the body considered as a functional unit

c

: a group of related natural objects or forces

a river system

d

: a group of devices or artificial objects or an organization forming a network especially for distributing something or serving a common purpose

a telephone system

a heating system

a highway system

a computer system

e

: a major division of rocks usually larger than a series and including all formed during a period or era

f

: a form of social, economic, or political organization or practice

the capitalist system

2

: an organized set of doctrines, ideas, or principles usually intended to explain the arrangement or working of a systematic whole

the Newtonian system of mechanics

3

a

: an organized or established procedure

the touch system of typing

b

: a manner of classifying, symbolizing, or schematizing

a taxonomic system

the decimal system

4

: harmonious arrangement or pattern : order

bring system out of confusion

—Ellen Glasgow

5

: an organized society or social situation regarded as stultifying or oppressive : establishment sense 2

—usually used with the

systemless

ˈsi-stəm-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• complex
• network

Choose the Right Synonym for system

method, mode, manner, way, fashion, system mean the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end.

method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps.

effective teaching methods

mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference.

the preferred mode of transportation

manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive.

an odd manner of conducting

way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words.

has her own way of doing things

fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something.

rushing about in his typical fashion

system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness.

a filing system

Examples of system in a Sentence

The players like the coach's system.

Under the new system, students will have to pass an exam to graduate.

She devised a new filing system.

We need a better system for handling incoming e-mail.

Recent Examples on the Web

The big picture: The fires that have razed at least 170,000 acres ignited Friday are tied to the same giant storm system that brought tornadoes to the U.S. South, per Axios' Andrew Freedman. —Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025

The Tritons have a formula that usually wins in March: a defensive system most opponents haven’t faced, an unorthodox star in Tait-Jones, an efficient offense capable of getting hot from 3 and an edge shaped by their backgrounds. —Cj Moore, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025

Trump moves to brand Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization again A U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that U.S. air and naval assets hit dozens of Houthi targets in Yemen, including missiles, radars, and drone and air defense systems. —Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2025

According to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame’s site, when Richie was growing up in Tuskegee, his mother was a teacher and a school principal, while his father was a systems analyst for the U.S. Army. —Ilana Frost, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin systemat-, systema, from Greek systēmat-, systēma, from synistanai to combine, from syn- + histanai to cause to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

circa 1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing system

• ABO system
• a shock to the/someone's system
• autonomic nervous system
• Bertillon system
• binary system
• buck the system
• buddy system
• case system
• central nervous system
• circulatory system
• clipper system
• decimal system
• digestive system
• English system
• expert system
• foster system
• get it out of one's system
• haversian system
• honor system
• immune system
• intercommunication system
• inter-system
• life-support system
• limbic system
• lymphatic system
• merit system
• metric system
• mononuclear phagocyte system
• nervous system
• operating system
• parasympathetic nervous system
• PA system
• peripheral nervous system
• portal system
• profit system
• public address system
• reproductive system
• respiratory system
• reticuloendothelial system
• solar system
• sound system
• spoils system
• sprinkler system
• star system
• sub-system
• support system
• sympathetic nervous system
• tetragonal system
• the buddy system
• the metric system
• the system
• touch system
• truck system
• wall system
• water-vascular system

Rhymes for system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

Kids Definition

system

noun

sys·​tem ˈsis-təm 

1

a

: a group of objects or units combined to form a whole and to move or work together

the railroad system

a park system

b

: a group of bodily organs that together carry on one or more vital functions

the digestive system

c

: the body considered as a functional unit

a system weakened by disease

d

: an orderly plan or method of governing or arranging

a democratic system of government

e

: a major division of rocks usually larger than a series and including all formed during a period or era

2

a

: a set of ideas or statements that explains the order or functioning of a whole

b

: a method of classifying, representing, or arranging

a decimal system of numbers

systemless

-ləs 

adjective

Medical Definition

system

noun

sys·​tem ˈsis-təm 

1

a

: a group of body organs or structures that together perform one or more vital functions see circulatory system, digestive system, endocrine system, limbic system, nervous system, reproductive system, respiratory system

b

: the body considered as a functional unit

2

: a manner of classifying, symbolizing, or schematizing

a taxonomic system