interface

[in-ter-feys, in-ter-feys, in-ter-feys]

noun

1. a surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases.

2. the facts, problems, considerations, theories, practices, etc., shared by two or more disciplines, procedures, or fields of study.

   the interface between chemistry and physics.

3. a common boundary or interconnection between systems, equipment, concepts, or human beings.

4. communication or interaction.

   Interface between the parent company and its subsidiaries has never been better.

5. a thing or circumstance that enables separate and sometimes incompatible elements to coordinate effectively.

   The organization serves as an interface between the state government and the public.

6. computer hardware or software designed to communicate information between hardware devices, between software programs, between devices and programs, or between a device and a user.

verb (used with object)

interfaced, interfacing 

1. to bring into an interface.

2. to bring together; connect or mesh.

   The management is interfacing several departments with an information service from overseas.

verb (used without object)

interfaced, interfacing 

1. to be in an interface.

2. to function as an interface.

3. to meet or communicate directly; interact, coordinate, synchronize, or harmonize (often followed bywith ).

   The two communications systems are able to interface with each other.

interface

/ ˌɪntəˈfeɪʃəl /

noun

1. chem a surface that forms the boundary between two bodies, liquids, or chemical phases

2. a common point or boundary between two things, subjects, etc

3. an electrical circuit linking one device, esp a computer, with another

verb

1. (tr) to design or adapt the input and output configurations of (two electronic devices) so that they may work together compatibly

2. to be or become an interface (with)

3. to be or become interactive (with)

interface

1. The point of interaction or communication between a computer and any other entity, such as a printer or human operator.

2. The layout of an application's graphic or textual controls in conjunction with the way the application responds to user activity.

3. See more at GUI

Other Word Forms

• interfacial adjective
• interfacially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of interface¹

First recorded in 1880–85; inter- + face

Example Sentences

“Voice is a very natural user interface, as are hand gestures.”

From Los Angeles Times

Once Andy boards a derelict space station and interfaces with its programming, the rules change.

From Salon

Those features will now go into Football Manager 26, including a new game engine with updated graphics and a new user interface.

From BBC

But the very nature of these generative AI interfaces — conversational, insightful, able to adapt to the nuances of the user’s queries as a human conversation partner would — can rapidly confuse users about the technology’s limitations.

From Los Angeles Times

Technological prowess would help Paramount+ improve its user interface and recommendation process, which insiders acknowledge is currently underwhelming.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advertise 
• broadcast 
• connect 
• contact 
• convey 
• correspond 
• disclose 
• disseminate 
• get across 
• get through 
• impart 
• inform 
• interact 
• pass on 
• publicize 
• reach out www.thesaurus.com
• relate 
• reveal 
• suggest 
• tell