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

Examples of software in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Generative AI can alter several activities at once because language sits at the center of administration, education, law, media, software and knowledge work. — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Skydio claims that the drone videos were exposed as a result of a misuse of its software by SFPD. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Those concerns also revolve around AI agents, which are software products that are designed to perform tasks autonomously. — CBS News, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for software

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

software

noun

soft·​ware ˈsȯf-ˌtwa(ə)r 

-ˌtwe(ə)r

: the programs and related information used by a computer