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

Computer software is limited to $350 or less, while personal computers and accessories can’t exceed $1,500. — Zuri Primos july 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

The paper also draws comparisons with the rise of open-source software decades ago. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

Most of the credit for that belongs to the intricate clockwork of drone factories, start-ups, software developers, training academies, and military innovators that help keep the Ukrainian war machine running. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

In construction software, Graitec has built its AI strategy around the same premise, betting that what an engineer will pay for is not faster generation but a design auditable enough to sign their name to. — François Candelon, Fortune, 24 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