interface

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

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR interface 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.

Origin of interface

First recorded in 1880–85; inter- + face

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for interface

communication, contact, intermediary, network, relationship, hookup, element, channel, tie, association, juncture, crossing, intersection, confluence, terminal, consolidate, incorporate, organize, unify, conform

Examples from the Web for interface

Contemporary Examples of interface

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
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
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
The interface was great, really user-friendly, really clear.
Why Obamacare Could Help the Democrats in 2014
Michael Tomasky
December 5, 2013
State exchanges are given the option to interface with so-called “web-based entities.”
Obamacare’s Rollout Is a Disaster That Didn’t Have to Happen
Gregory Ferenstein
October 20, 2013

Historical Examples of interface

There remains the question of the precipitation of the tanning colloid at the interface.
Animal Proteins
Hugh Garner Bennett
They embody expectations and plans for change; and they need to interface between the given and the desired or the expected.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
The interaction of the user with the machine is translated by interface programs into whatever a machine can process.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
The process exemplifies what happens when interface takes over and interacts with itself.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
Instead of supporting better interactions, an interface can hamper them and affect the outcome of computing.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin

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 Formsinterfacial (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

Word Origin and History for interface

1882 (n.), 1967 (v.), from inter- + face. Related: Interfaced; interfacing.

interface in Medicine