interface

1 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​face ˈin-tər-ˌfās 

1

a

: the place at which independent and often unrelated systems meet and act on or communicate with each other

the man-machine interface

b

: the means by which interaction or communication is achieved at an interface

2

: a surface forming a common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases

an oil-water interface

interfacial

ˌin-tər-ˈfā-shəl 

adjective

interface

2 of 2

verb

interfaced; interfacing; interfaces

transitive verb

1

: to connect by means of an interface

interface a machine with a computer

2

: to serve as an interface for

intransitive verb

1

: to become interfaced

2

: to interact or coordinate harmoniously

Examples of interface in a Sentence

Noun

the interface between engineering and science

The software has a user interface that's easy to operate.

We installed an interface between the computer and the typesetting machine.

Verb

interface a machine with a computer

the point at which the two machines interface

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

An exquisite wedding dress worn in the 1930s by Jazz Age New York socialite and actress Natalie Potter will be brought to life with an interactive interface specially designed for the show by OpenAI. —Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024

One of the group’s videos posted in mid-January, however, shows what appears to be a screen recording that captures the hackers’ manipulation of software interfaces for the control systems of water utilities in the Texas towns of Abernathy and Muleshoe. —Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1962, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing interface

• application program interface
• application programming interface
• graphical user interface
• user interface

Kids Definition

interface

1 of 2 noun

in·​ter·​face ˈint-ər-ˌfās 

1

: a surface forming a common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases

an interface between oil and water

2

a

: the place at which independent systems meet and act on or communicate with each other

b

: the ways by which interaction or communication is brought about at an interface

interfacial

ˌint-ər-ˈfā-shəl 

adjective

interface

2 of 2 verb

1

: to connect or become connected through an interface

2

: to serve as an interface for

Medical Definition

interface

noun

in·​ter·​face ˈint-ər-ˌfās 

: a surface forming a common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases

interfaces between various tissues such as skin, fatty tissue, and muscle

—H. P. Schwan

interface transitive verb

interfaced; interfacing

interfacial

ˌint-ər-ˈfā-shəl 

adjective