software
noun
soft·ware
ˈsȯft-ˌwer 
: something used or associated with and usually contrasted with hardware: such as
a
: programs for a computer
accounting software
b
dated
: the entire set of programs, procedures, and related documentation associated with a mechanical or electronic system and especially a computer system
c
: materials for use with audiovisual equipment
… television programs, music, and movies are now called software, by the way …—
Robert Bixby
Robert BixbyExamples of software in a Sentence
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Two computer monitors displayed a riot of overlapping windows, including an old, blocky software program called P-COM, which offered thirty-five types of commands.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
The suspension control software from their high-performance cars has enabled Ferrari to develop an algorithm to keep the boat stable, Ribigini adds, which will be vital at all times, but particularly in rough seas and strong winds.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Reduce Wasted Spend to Fund Your Next Project Founders are ruthless about cutting overhead, yet many creatives let thousands of dollars leak away on essential work expenses like software subscriptions, tech and supplies.
—Rhett Power, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2026
Its hardware, software and AI were all developed in-house.
—Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for software
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E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
The suspension control software from their high-performance cars has enabled Ferrari to develop an algorithm to keep the boat stable, Ribigini adds, which will be vital at all times, but particularly in rough seas and strong winds.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Reduce Wasted Spend to Fund Your Next Project Founders are ruthless about cutting overhead, yet many creatives let thousands of dollars leak away on essential work expenses like software subscriptions, tech and supplies.
—Rhett Power, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2026
Its hardware, software and AI were all developed in-house.
—Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for software
Cite this Entry
“Software.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/software. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
software
noun
soft·ware
ˈsȯf-ˌtwa(ə)r
-ˌtwe(ə)r
: the programs and related information used by a computer
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