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

That requires visibility below the operating system, control that persists through disruption, and recovery mechanisms that do not depend on fragile software layers. —CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Campos, which will have both voice- and typing-based modes, will be the primary new addition to Apple’s upcoming operating systems. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026

That includes IP address, operating system, browser type and approximate location. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Nutanix now integrates with Pure Storage's FlashArray and Dell's PowerFlex storage platforms, allowing its cloud operating system to manage virtualized workloads while enterprise storage systems handle data persistence and capacity scaling independently. —Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 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)