operating system

noun

: software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of programs (as by assigning storage space in memory and controlling input and output functions)

Examples of operating system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The product launches on Wednesday were accompanied by a pledge to make public a beta version of Apple's latest operating system — iOS 27 — in October. — John Ruwitch, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

The company has also taken stakes in AI startups including video generation company Luma AI and developed its own HUMAIN laptop and computer operating system. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Ways to play the sector AI monetization is slower and patchier at the level of consumer-facing applications relative to deeper levels of the stack, such as the database and the operating system. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Google explains that its system services can deliver new features separately from the main Android operating system update. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for operating system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

Kids Definition

operating system

noun

: software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of the user's programs (as by controlling input and output functions)