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

Origin Quantum in 2023 announced the sale of China’s first commercial quantum computer and made the Origin Pilot operating system open source this year, allowing it to reach beyond U.S. export controls.

From The Wall Street Journal

This is sometimes called Apple’s “walled garden.” iPhones, Macs, and Watches work like one because Apple controls the entire technology stack: the chips, the devices, the operating systems, the applications, and the cloud services.

From Barron's

Google makes the other dominant smartphone operating system, Android, and builds its own Pixel smartphones that include AI features Apple can’t yet match.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meta has no platform layer, no operating system, no cloud business, no device.

From The Wall Street Journal

Its Basic programming language and DOS operating system weren’t innovative in the market—but became standards.

From Barron's