malware

noun

mal·​ware ˈmal-ˌwer 

: software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning

Examples of malware in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Modern PCs use Secure Boot to protect the startup process from rootkits and other malware. — Chris Hoffman, PC Magazine, 8 July 2026

What Investors Should Watch Next This is where the story stops being about malware and starts being about which businesses the shift favors. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Researchers and critics said there are serious ramifications if the lidar technology is compromised through malware. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 7 July 2026

For more on how attackers can abuse connected devices, see our report on how the FBI warned that more than 1 million Android devices were hijacked by malware. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

malicious + -ware (as in software)

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for malware

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

Kids Definition

malware

noun

ˈmal-ˌwer 

: software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning

Legal Definition

malware

noun

mal·​ware ˈmal-ˌwer 

: software that is designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning and that can be used to commit cybercrime (as by revealing passwords, PINs, and other sensitive data)

Etymology

mal- bad + software