software

noun

soft·ware | \ ˈsȯft-ˌwer

Definition of software

: 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

Examples of software in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the center booster experienced a software glitch and crashed into the ocean. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "SpaceX Loses its Rocket Booster to Rough Seas," 16 Apr. 2019 While phonemes help convey meaning, speech-recognition software does not account for unintended repetitions of them, according to Rudzicz. — Kevin Wheeler, Curbed, "Why voice assistants don’t understand people who stutter," 12 Dec. 2018 Aircraft built before the final design standards were set in stone would need hardware and software updates, and determining which planes needed what to bring them up to the final standard will be a complicated and expensive endeavor. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Some F-35s Could Become Unflyable by 2026," 1 Feb. 2019 Gael is a guy at Speckulate where Mariana has her software engineering job. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, ""Good Trouble"'s Cierra Ramirez and Tommy Martinez Get Real About Working With Noah Centineo, Bisexual Representation, and What’s Next for The “Fosters” Spin-Off," 10 Jan. 2019 Today’s Video Fresh Features After a year filled with bug fixes and heavy user criticism, Apple’s focus at its annual software showcase was on improving existing things rather than introducing new ones. — Allure, "The 15 Best Face Washes for Oily Skin," 19 Mar. 2019 The challenge has really been the rethinking of our operational strategy, from software to distribution, like cutting back with wholesale, to supply chain to production. — Nick Remsen, Vogue, "Overhauling Heritage (With an Edge of Clever Hype): A Conversation with Rimowa CEO Alexandre Arnault," 27 Feb. 2019 This information is often available on the summary received from an accountant or tax preparation software. — Sarah Skidmore Sell, The Seattle Times, "I owe how much? Americans shocked by impact of new tax law," 20 Feb. 2019 Bloomberg News, the media conglomerate, and the Bloomberg Terminal, the financial software mainstay? — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "Everybody Running for President in 2020," 18 Jan. 2019

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