software

noun

soft·​ware ˈsȯft-ˌwer 

: something used or associated with and usually contrasted with hardware: such as

a

: programs for a computer

accounting software

b

dated : the entire set of programs, procedures, and related documentation associated with a mechanical or electronic system and especially a computer system

c

: materials for use with audiovisual equipment

… television programs, music, and movies are now called software, by the way …

—Robert Bixby

Examples of software in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans. —Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026

The new export controls restrict technologies, chemicals, products, or software that could be used for military purposes, including some rare earth elements. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Jan. 2026

Supervisors approved the intent to lease more than 2,000 APX N70 radios, along with other software and accessories in December. —Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026

These five privacy tips show you exactly how to reduce tracking and limit data sharing on both iPhone and Android using the latest software. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for software

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

software

noun

soft·​ware ˈsȯf-ˌtwa(ə)r 

-ˌtwe(ə)r

: the programs and related information used by a computer