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

Users still access the platform through a familiar web interface, but behind the scenes, the data remains within their infrastructure. —William Jones, USA Today, 9 May 2025

Content creation starts on a computer running Unity, but the finished product can be deployed on an iPad, which also powers the display and serves as its interface. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025

Verb

The median American citizen is not interested in politics, not following the news, and generally interfaces with the federal government a handful of times throughout the year: at the DMV, with the IRS, maybe with some low-wage clerk at the Social Security or Medicare office. —Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

Implement regular vulnerability audits for AI models, particularly those interfacing with customers or handling sensitive data. —Sol Rashidi, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for interface

• aerospace
• anatase
• anyplace
• commonplace
• cyberspace
• database
• diabase
• diastase
• dnase
• elastase
• fireplace
• hyperspace

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