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

Qira integrates directly into the operating system and offers multiple entry points. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026

Commerce operating system Swap has announced a $100 million Series C round, co-led by internet investment firm DST Global and global investment firm Iconiq, which is doubling down on its initial investment. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 7 Jan. 2026

The script detects the operating system and browser. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026

Available as bare metal or cloud-based servers, they can be configured with the Microsoft Windows operating system, a Linux distribution, or enterprise virtualization technology such as Proxmox VE or VMware ESXi. —Nia Bowers, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 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)