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

Those deals can come with malware, backdoors or proxy software. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

The launch came after multiple weather delays, as well as a software issue that aborted a Thursday launch attempt and was fixed with an update. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

The software platform aims to improve how storage devices process data locally as more AI workloads move from cloud infrastructure onto edge systems. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026

Following his acting career Nilsson reportedly spent some years working for an Australian software company. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 July 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