interface

noun

in·ter·face | \ ˈin-tər-ˌfās

Definition of interface

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a surface forming a common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases an oil-water interface

2a : 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

interface

verb

interfaced; interfacing; interfaces

Definition of interface (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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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

If a smartphone or smartwatch’s interface relies on colors as user guides from one feature to another, older adults may face challenges. — David Lindeman, The Conversation, "How technology could be a solution to caregiver shortage for seniors," 25 July 2019 The changes included a simpler interface and more prominent placement of podcasts. — Ahiza Garcia, CNN, "Spotify will no longer let artists upload their own music," 1 July 2019 Waze also uses Google’s new low-profile Assistant interface, so turn-by-turn directions won’t be obstructed. — Michael Simon, PCWorld, "Google Assistant takes the wheel in Waze to bring hands-free reports and directions," 10 June 2019 Among the amenities are a 24-hour market in the lobby selling white noise machines and snacks; self-service check-in kiosks; digital interfaces in rooms for making requests; and use of the meditation app Headspace. — Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "Atelier Ace's New New York City Hotel Wants to Help You Clear Your Head," 14 May 2019 Seeing the interface between light, matter, and M87’s event horizon might help scientists work out this enigmatic process. — National Geographic, "First-ever picture of a black hole unveiled," 10 Apr. 2019 Dropbox’s web interface can be overly simple, but its tool for syncing files across devices—with version history and superfast syncing—works really well. — David Pierce, WSJ, "Cluttered Phone and Computer? Put Your Files in the Cloud," 9 Sep. 2018 Why was the interface still confounding me after weeks and weeks? — Jeffrey Van Camp, WIRED, "Are Super Automatic Espresso Machines Worth It?," 21 July 2019 Previous SlideNext Slide In a blog post today, Twitter announced the rollout of a new version of the Twitter.com website that revamps the Web interface to bring it more in line with the design and functionality of the mobile client application. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Twitter is changing Twitter.com to be more like mobile app," 15 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The biggest technical hurdle is bandwidth, Musk said, meaning the tools humans use to interface with computers, like current hardware systems and smartphones. — Alex Johnson, NBC News, "Elon Musk wants to hook your brain directly up to computers — starting next year," 17 July 2019 Neuroprosthetics are implants that directly interface with your brain. — Vivienne Ming, Quartz, "Why I’m turning my son into a cyborg," 15 July 2019 The system would not only warn the public, but would also interface with critical infrastructure to automatically shut off some parts of the state's infrastructure, like train systems. — Dakin Andone, CNN, "After two quakes shake Southern California, residents wonder: Are we getting close to the Big One?," 7 July 2019 The festival is a different way to interface with the community. — Erika Butler, baltimoresun.com, "Thousands expected for first Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Festival in Havre de Grace on June 22," 14 June 2019 Smart city technologies, such as advanced traffic management systems that interface with autonomous vehicles, will likely be layered upon existing streets, Amici said. — Pam Baker, Ars Technica, "Where we’re going, we won’t need windows: How autonomy will change cars," 5 Dec. 2018 The bottom screen is the only way to interface with the climate-control system. — Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, "All SUV, all of the time: The Range Rover Sport reviewed," 12 July 2018 The goal here is to provide the locals a place to stock up without having to interface with the tourists padding around above. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Two Very Big Reasons You Should Do Your Holiday Shopping in Midtown Manhattan," 20 Nov. 2018 And so Anikeeva became determined to design flexible fibers that could interface with the nervous system without damaging it, transmitting signals to reconnect nerves or stimulate neurons. — Jacqueline Detwiler, Popular Mechanics, "The Heroes of Science Who Are Unlocking the Brain," 3 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interface.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near interface

Statistics for interface

Last Updated

7 Aug 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for interface

The first known use of interface was in 1882

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More Definitions for interface

interface

noun

English Language Learners Definition of interface

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the place or area at which different things meet and communicate with or affect each other

: a system that is used for operating a computer : a system that controls the way information is shown to a computer user and the way the user is able to work with the computer

: an area or system through which one machine is connected to another machine

interface

verb

English Language Learners Definition of interface (Entry 2 of 2)

: to connect or become connected : to connect by means of an interface

See the full definition for interface in the English Language Learners Dictionary

interface

noun

in·ter·face | \ ˈint-ər-ˌfās

Medical Definition of interface

: 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

Other Words from interface

interface transitive verb interfaced; interfacing

interfacial \ ˌint-ər-ˈfā-shəl

\ adjective

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