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

To combat theft, in March 2025, General Motors introduced a software update for 2020 to 2024 Camaro models. —Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025

Firms were willing to incur resources to bring new graduates up the learning curve when software labor was scarce. —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

Since 2021, Prima Materia has been investing in Helsing, a defense company that sells software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to inform military decisions. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 17 Aug. 2025

The publication lists Epic as among the five largest private U.S. tech software and services companies by revenue. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 16 Aug. 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