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

Instead of sending all incoming data through complex software processing, some of the work could happen directly in the semiconductor hardware. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2026

Seat counts have stopped predicting anything, which means the pricing model underneath thirty years of enterprise software is now unstable in both directions, and everybody selling it knows. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Every Fathom, even the most barebones, will have the hardware and sensors necessary to turn on BlueCruise, the company’s software that enables drivers to take their hands off the wheel while on the highway. — Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Software stocks — The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) rose on the back of solid earnings from major software names. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 7 Aug. 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