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

Companies and health systems that treat ambient documentation as a pure software problem (deploy it, minimize edits and measure only time saved) are more likely to discover the limits the hard way. — Pat Williams, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

But Acrobat was the only software I was allowed to use to review page layouts. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Eric worked for a time as a software developer in a few start-ups, and Owen as an analyst at a venture-capital firm. — Eric Zwick, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Functionality for geographical landmark identification is expected to be released in the coming months and subsequent software updates are expected to introduce new and exciting uses. — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing software

• software as a service

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