operating system

American  

[op-uh-rey-ting sis-tuhm] / ˈɒp ə reɪ tɪŋ ˌsɪs təm /

noun

Computers.

1. the collection of software that directs a computer's operations, controlling and scheduling the execution of other programs, and managing storage, input/output, and communication resources. OS

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operating system British  

noun

1. the set of software that controls the overall operation of a computer system, typically by performing such tasks as memory allocation, job scheduling, and input/output control

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operating system Scientific  

/ ŏp′ə-rā′tĭng /

1. Software designed to handle basic elements of computer operation, such as sending instructions to hardware devices like disk drives and computer screens, and allocating system resources such as memory to different software applications being run. Given uniformly designed operating systems that run on many different computers, developers of software do not need to concern themselves with these problems, and are provided with a standard platform for new programs.

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operating system Cultural  

1. The software that allows computer users to run applications with the hardware of a specific system. Microsoft® Windows® or Apple® Computer's OS are examples of operating systems.

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Etymology

Origin of operating system

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

“Our SemiCab platform breaks that dependency by embedding intelligence directly into the freight operating system.”

From MarketWatch

Apple was reportedly planning to include new features for its virtual assistant in the upcoming iOS 26.4 operating system update in March but is now looking to release them incrementally, according to Bloomberg.

From MarketWatch

Their capital consists not of factories, buildings and machines, but algorithms, operating systems, standards and vast, self-reinforcing user networks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Groups like Google are classified as having strategic status under the law due to their ownership of key routes to market like mobile operating systems and search engines.

From The Wall Street Journal

Social media erupted with calls to boycott Apple and users declaring it was time to go with rival Google’s mobile operating system.

From The Wall Street Journal