software
[sawft-wair, soft-]
- Computers. the programs used to direct the operation of a computer, as well as documentation giving instructions on how to use them.Compare hardware(def 5).
- anything that is not hardware but is used with hardware, especially audiovisual materials, as film, tapes, records, etc.: a studio fully equipped but lacking software.
- Television Slang. prepackaged materials, as movies or reruns, used to fill out the major part of a station's program schedule.
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Origin of software
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for software
Contemporary Examples
“The U.S. Navy will attain IOC [initial operational capability] in 2018 with 3F software,” DellaVedova wrote.
Now it can't open on my phone due to what appears to be software incompatibility.
But the F-35 has been plagued with massive delays and cost overruns—mostly due to design defects and software issues.
The income of a software engineering intern at Facebook is comparable, with monthly incomes of over $6,500.
Silicon Valley Interns Make a Service Worker’s Yearly Salary In Three MonthsSamantha Allen
November 25, 2014
“It is impossible by elections to choose normal people,” argues Yoram Gat, an Israeli software engineer with a PhD in statistics.
Historical Examples
Today, the term machine is evocative of software rather than hardware.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
Hardware was there, like hammers and planes; and software, like sugar and meal.
Fighting the SeaEdward A. Rand
Software advances will be even more critical for Rapid Dominance.
Shock and AweHarlan K. Ullman
The discussion in this book can be combined with his Mathematica software, available on that site.
Definition & Reality in the General Theory of Political EconomyThomas Colignatus
Depending on the hard- and software used and their settings, not all characters and symbols may display as intended.
Alchemy: Ancient and ModernH. Stanley Redgrove
software
- computing the programs that can be used with a particular computer systemCompare hardware (def. 2)
- video cassettes and discs for use with a particular video system
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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 software
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
software
[sôft′wâr′]
- The programs, programming languages, and data that direct the operations of a computer system. Word processing programs and Internet browsers are examples of software. Compare hardware.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
software
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.