operating system

noun

: software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of programs (as by assigning storage space in memory and controlling input and output functions)

Examples of operating system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Remote desktop software such as TeamViewer, VNC or RustDesk is wonderful while the remote computer is awake, connected and running an operating system. — New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2026

What makes high-frequency operating systems different is that many decisions are cheap and reversible enough to experiment with. — Srini Attili, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

The list, which was sponsored by global creator company Whalar Group and its digital operating system Foam, was previewed by Shapiro and Lazar over the weekend at IBC 2026 in Amsterdam, but The Hollywood Reporter has the full list below. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

The product launches on Wednesday were accompanied by a pledge to make public a beta version of Apple's latest operating system — iOS 27 — in October. — John Ruwitch, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for operating system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

Kids Definition

operating system

noun

: software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of the user's programs (as by controlling input and output functions)