interface

play

noun in·ter·face \ ˈin-tər-ˌfās \

Definition of interface

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

an oil-water interface

2 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

—

interfacial

play \ˌin-tər-ˈfā-shəl\ adjective

See interface defined for English-language learners

See interface defined for kids

Examples of interface in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of interface from the Web

Imagine a brain interface for rapidly typing on a smartphone.

— cade metz, New York Times, "A Game You Can Control With Your Mind," 27 Aug. 2017
That’s why even the most minute of interface redesigns is cause for disorientation and utter confusion.

— marissa miller, Teen Vogue, "Social Media Updates You Need to Know About," 18 Aug. 2017
Allo again Criticism aside, the Allo web interface is a pleasure to use.

— michael simon, PCWorld, "Google Allo finally gains a web interface but it may be too late," 15 Aug. 2017
Recently Facebook unveiled a plan to create a speech-to-text interface to translate thoughts directly from brain to computer.

— marcello ienca, Scientific American, "Preserving the Right to Cognitive Liberty," 24 July 2017
The move also seems to sanctify Amazon’s role as the dominant interface between brands and users.

— Ángel gonzález, The Seattle Times, "Sign of surrender? Sears agrees to sell Kenmore brand on Amazon.com," 20 July 2017
Finally, parents should use strong passwords when setting up accounts and monitor the data being collected, if allowed within the toy's software interface.

— mike flacy, Fox News, "FBI warns parents about the risks of using Internet-connected toys," 19 July 2017
The user interface, with its rich LCD display, is of solid design and layout.

— tom voelk, New York Times, "Video Review: A Family-Friendly Ferrari, for the Family of Means," 29 June 2017
Howard County's website provides the convenience of transactional services, a fancy way of saying taxes, parking tickets or water bills can be paid via an online interface.

— Columbia Flier, "When website hacking hits home [Editorial]," 29 June 2017

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.

First Known Use of interface

1882

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

interface

verb

Definition of interface

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

See interface defined for English-language learners

Examples of interface in a Sentence

interface a machine with a computer
the point at which the two machines interface

Recent Examples of interface from the Web

The design function is managed by an experienced executive or executive-level head of design, with typically 15 to 20 years of design management experience, who can interface with senior leadership.

— debbie yong, Fortune, "The Design Value Index Shows What “Design Thinking” Is Worth," 30 Aug. 2017
Literally, their job is to interface with the community and get feedback and highlight members who are doing amazing things on the platform.

— nicholas thompson, WIRED, "Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom on Free Speech, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet Addiction.," 17 Aug. 2017
The candidates actually have to interface with the local affiliate and the voters.

— jason johnson, The Root, "A Bold Sista: Move Over, Bernie Bros. Nina Turner Is the New Head of Sanders’ Our Revolution," 24 July 2017
Ham radio functions completely independent of the Internet or cell phone infrastructure, can interface with tablets or smartphones, and can be set up almost anywhere in minutes.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Ham radio operators to stage Field Day," 21 June 2017
The effort to build a network of alternative channels for top authorities to interface directly with the public is as old as the Putin era.

— peter grier, The Christian Science Monitor, "Russia as a sort of cyber-democracy? The Kremlin is giving it a shot.," 15 June 2017
In October the growing concern acquired the Crate Diggers franchise, a live event where Discogs users and others can interface in real time and revel to various DJs and performers while purchasing vinyl.

— andy gensler, Billboard, "Discogs Hits Data Milestone With 8.5M Releases, 5M Artists, 1M Labels," 1 June 2017
People interface with health care not through their insurance companies but through physicians at offices, hospitals, clinics and laboratories.

— jed lipinski, NOLA.com, "She saved $3,786 by shopping her MRI; here's how you can save, too," 26 May 2017
Kurzweil described how our brains might someday interface directly with non-biological forms of intelligence, possibly with the help of nano-bots that travel through our capillaries.

— cathy o'neil, The Denver Post, "What if we could upload books to our brains?," 13 Apr. 2017

First Known Use of interface

1962

INTERFACE Defined for English Language Learners

interface

play

noun

Definition of interface for English Language Learners

: 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