operating system

American  

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

noun

Computers.

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of operating system

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The frames will operate on Google’s Gemini AI model and work with Android’s “extended reality” operating system to provide contextual, real-time assistance.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Palantir has become the operating system for the Defense Department.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

He also drew parallels between the current environment, when the internet was just beginning to flourish and Windows 95, a groundbreaking operating system, was first released.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

Apple unveiled the updates to its operating system in March.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

It was so good, in fact, that it became—and remains—the operating system on which literally millions of computers around the world run.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell