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

Rivian has released an over-the-air software update and will inspect and replace the driver's seat belt pretensioner assembly, if necessary, free of charge. —James Powel, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

DiRico's experience ranges from large-scale enterprise software organizations to high-growth technology companies. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 8 Dec. 2025

The best way to safeguard your kids' devices from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing their private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all their devices. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025

The company’s software allows its clients to build a digital twin of a site. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025

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