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Synonyms

software

American  
[sawft-wair, soft-] / ˈsɔftˌwɛər, ˈsɒft- /

noun

  1. Computers. the programs used to direct the operation of a computer, as well as documentation giving instructions on how to use them.

  2. anything that is not hardware but is used with hardware, especially audiovisual materials, as film, tapes, records, etc..

    a studio fully equipped but lacking software.

  3. Television Slang. prepackaged materials, as movies or reruns, used to fill out the major part of a station's program schedule.

software British  
/ ˈsɒftˌwɛə /

noun

  1. computing the programs that can be used with a particular computer system Compare hardware

  2. video cassettes and discs for use with a particular video system

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
software Scientific  
/ sôft′wâr′ /

  1. The programs, programming languages, and data that direct the operations of a computer system. Word processing programs and Internet browsers are examples of software.

  2. Compare hardware

software Cultural  

  1. The programs and instructions that run a computer, as opposed to the actual physical machinery and devices that compose the hardware.

Usage

What is software? Software is a program or virtual experience that directs the operation of a computer or electronic device, as in The software on my phone was so outdated, I couldn’t send texts to anyone.Software can refer to anything that is used with hardware but is not the hardware itself.Example: The hardware is great, but there just isn’t enough software to back it up.

Etymology

Origin of software

First recorded in 1955–60; soft + ware 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Within each FDE pod, engineers occupied different roles: McCardel served as an “Echo,” the strategist responsible for translating the customer’s needs into technical requirements, while “Delta” engineers rapidly developed prototype software solutions.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Traditional software firms are often sending FDEs to implement existing products instead of engineering new solutions.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Pangram has updated its software since the study was conducted, according to Ms. Vara.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

“The software only goes to $10,” said Leo Flores, owner of the gas station and mini-market.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

A single blip written into the software and every single piece of information in the Stormbreaker software could be destroyed at any time.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.