operating system

American  

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

noun

Computers.

• operating systems
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• operating systems
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of operating system

First recorded in 1960–65

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

operating system

“They want to be utilities like your water company, like your electricity company, and Facebook wanted to be the operating system of your life,” he said.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026

However, in May, it said it would be making the site available again for some UK Apple users who had confirmed their age with the company's most up-to-date version of iOS, its mobile operating system.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

But the Cupertino, Calif., company keeps tight control of its product universe through its iOS operating system and proprietary software, and commands a vast, affluent user base.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Erased like an old operating system via update, Apple officially said goodbye to Tim Cook as CEO this week.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026

He yelled a question to Eric about the new operating system.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

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