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

The infrastructure addresses a problem that emerged as Codex accelerated software development. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026

Unless the Tesla charger is upgraded to the newer software, the plug won’t work with a non-Tesla vehicle. — New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026

Agile Robots announced the system, which uses Nvidia's Isaac robotics software and Jetson Thor computing platform. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

Facial recognition software had flagged him as an 85 percent match to the seller, and two witnesses had then identified him. — Edward Longe, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 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