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
Robert BixbyExamples of software in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But on Sunday, Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s vice president of AI software, shared a post on X that said one of the company’s Model Y robotaxis was spotted driving on public roads in Austin without any people on board.
—Lora Kolodny,jennifer Elias,annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Waymo previously announced a software update aimed at increasing the safety of the vehicles around busses, among other updates, but incidents have continued to occur in other cities like Austin, Texas, after the update took place, according to a letter from their school district.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
The sample notice released by the California attorney general explains that a software setting allowed certain files to be accessible online.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
The most recent test campaign, captured in our image of the day, focused on software called Extended Robust Aerial Autonomy, designed to help future Mars rotorcraft navigate somewhat featureless terrain, which was the very challenge that caused problems for Ingenuity during its final flights.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for software
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Lora Kolodny,jennifer Elias,annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Waymo previously announced a software update aimed at increasing the safety of the vehicles around busses, among other updates, but incidents have continued to occur in other cities like Austin, Texas, after the update took place, according to a letter from their school district.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
The sample notice released by the California attorney general explains that a software setting allowed certain files to be accessible online.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
The most recent test campaign, captured in our image of the day, focused on software called Extended Robust Aerial Autonomy, designed to help future Mars rotorcraft navigate somewhat featureless terrain, which was the very challenge that caused problems for Ingenuity during its final flights.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for software
Cite this Entry
“Software.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/software. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
software
noun
soft·ware
ˈsȯf-ˌtwa(ə)r
-ˌtwe(ə)r
: the programs and related information used by a computer
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