interface

American  

[in-ter-feys, in-ter-feys, in-ter-feys] / ˈɪn tərˌfeɪs, ˈɪn tərˌfeɪs, ˌɪn tərˈfeɪs /

noun

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

2. the facts, problems, considerations, theories, practices, etc., shared by two or more disciplines, procedures, or fields of study.

   the interface between chemistry and physics.

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

4. communication or interaction.

   Interface between the parent company and its subsidiaries has never been better.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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verb (used with object)

interfaced, interfacing

1. to bring into an interface.

2. to bring together; connect or mesh.

   The management is interfacing several departments with an information service from overseas.

verb (used without object)

interfaced, interfacing

1. to be in an interface.

2. to function as an interface.

3. to meet or communicate directly; interact, coordinate, synchronize, or harmonize (often followed bywith ).

   The two communications systems are able to interface with each other.

interface British  

/ ˌɪntəˈfeɪʃəl /

noun

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

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

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

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verb

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

2. to be or become an interface (with)

3. to be or become interactive (with)

interface Scientific  

/ ĭn′tər-fās′ /

1. The point of interaction or communication between a computer and any other entity, such as a printer or human operator.

2. The layout of an application's graphic or textual controls in conjunction with the way the application responds to user activity.

3. See more at GUI

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Other Word Forms

• interfacial
  adjective
• interfacially
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of interface

First recorded in 1880–85; inter- + face

Explanation

Think of an interface as a "face-to-face," a place where things, or people, or people and things (like you and your computer) meet. Any common boundary or area of convergence can be an interface. Used as a verb, interface means to merge or mingle, bonding and synthesizing by communicating and working together. The word interface is comprised of the prefix inter, which means "between," and face. In the 1960's, when computers first began to be commonly used, the word became familiar and now can simply mean “to meet.” Although "Shall we interface over coffee?" still feels a bit awkward.

Example Sentences

That personal agent will interface with travel suppliers’ AI agents—not a human to be heard or seen—and book trips for people from their front door and back, according to their known likes and dislikes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

"What if we target the RNA, or the RNA-protein interface, so that we break the interaction? That is another opportunity. Now that we have high-resolution structures, you can precisely design drug molecules to target them."

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

These apps are a way for users to engage with brands directly inside the ChatGPT interface, getting answers and advice on products and services.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

It also introduced a “universal AI spine” powered by the 7800 that it said would “deliver massive scale, predictable performance, and high-speed interface support.”

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Then she picked up her interface ring from where it had lain on the bedside table all night, and slipped it on.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Related Words

• advertise
• broadcast
• connect
• contact
• convey
• correspond
• disclose
• disseminate
• get across
• get through
• impart
• inform
• interact
• pass on
• publicize
• reach out
• relate
• reveal
• suggest
• tell