interface

[ noun in-ter-feys; verb in-ter-feys, in-ter-feys ]

/ noun ˈɪn tərˌfeɪs; verb ˈɪn tərˌfeɪs, ˌɪn tərˈfeɪs /

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See synonyms for: interface / interfaced / interfacing on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

the facts, problems, considerations, theories, practices, etc., shared by two or more disciplines, procedures, or fields of study: the interface between chemistry and physics.

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

communication or interaction: Interface between the parent company and its subsidiaries has never been better.

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.

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), in·ter·faced, in·ter·fac·ing.

to bring into an interface.

to bring together; connect or mesh: The management is interfacing several departments with an information service from overseas.

verb (used without object), in·ter·faced, in·ter·fac·ing.

to be in an interface.

to function as an interface.

to meet or communicate directly; interact, coordinate, synchronize, or harmonize (often followed by with): The two communications systems are able to interface with each other.

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Origin of interface

First recorded in 1880–85; inter- + face

Words nearby interface

interesterification, interest group, interesting, interest rate, interest-rate futures, interface, interfacial, interfacial tension, interfacing, interfaith, interfascicular

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use interface in a sentence

The volume control is done through the infotainment system’s touch screen interface, with the knob acting as a virtual finger turning circles on the screen to raise and lower volume.
Ford’s electric Mustang Mach-E is an important leap into the future|Dan Carney|February 12, 2021|Popular-Science
The thing is, Google is always testing new interfaces, new designs, new features and releasing tweaks and changes to its ranking algorithm that are unconfirmed.
Google goes dark theme and passage ranking sees the light: Friday’s daily brief|Barry Schwartz|February 12, 2021|Search Engine Land
A Web shell is an interface that allows hackers to execute standard commands on Web servers once the servers have been compromised.
Microsoft is seeing a big spike in Web shell use|Dan Goodin|February 12, 2021|Ars Technica
Google has been expanding its roll out and test of dark mode or dark theme for the company’s search interface.
Google Search dark theme mode expands but search ads are hard to distinguish|Barry Schwartz|February 11, 2021|Search Engine Land

The first thing you’ll notice is the large, color touch screen interface.
Best toaster: Get perfectly golden slices every time|PopSci Commerce Team|February 10, 2021|Popular-Science
This borderland—the interface of human activity and wild habitat—is the most dangerous region of all for bears.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It serves as the heart of the collective works, as an interface between the cosmos and humanity.
The Tiniest Jackson Pollock|Justin Jones|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Apple developed the best music interface, and the labels just watched it happen.
Apple Wants Beats So It Can Control You|Ted Gioia|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cryptocat, with its simple and clean interface, has attracted those users more interested in security than security software.
Crypto for the Masses: Here’s How You Can Resist the NSA|Quinn Norton|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Apple also created the preferred devices for accessing this interface, and the music it channeled.
Apple Wants Beats So It Can Control You|Ted Gioia|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There remains the question of the precipitation of the tanning colloid at the interface.
Animal Proteins|Hugh Garner Bennett
The ports, with the exception of the Expansion Interface port, are also covered by removable Doors.
Radio Shack TRS-80 Expansion Interface: Operator's Manual|Anonymous
The Power switch is recessed into the front of the Expansion Interface to prevent accidental loss of power.
Radio Shack TRS-80 Expansion Interface: Operator's Manual|Anonymous
A memory scope would eliminate the need for a disk-to-CRT display interface.
On-Line Data-Acquisition Systems in Nuclear Physics, 1969|H. W. Fulbright et al.
It should be especially remembered that the inequality of concentration is in the sol, on the liquid side of the interface.
Animal Proteins|Hugh Garner Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for interface

interface

noun (ˈɪntəˌfeɪs)

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

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

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

verb (ˌɪntəˈfeɪs)

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

to be or become an interface (with)

to be or become interactive (with)

Derived forms of interface

interfacial (ˌɪntəˈfeɪʃəl), adjectiveinterfacially, adverb

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