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sys·tem | \ ˈsi-stəm 
\
\Definition of system
1 : a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole
a number system : such as
a(1) : a group of interacting bodies under the influence of related forces
a gravitational system
(2) : an assemblage of substances that is in or tends to equilibrium
a thermodynamic system
b(1) : a group of body organs that together perform one or more vital functions
the digestive system
(2) : the body considered as a functional unit
c : a group of related natural objects or forces
a river system
d : a group of devices or artificial objects or an organization forming a network especially for distributing something or serving a common purpose
a telephone system a heating system a highway system a computer system
e : a major division of rocks usually larger than a series and including all formed during a period or era
f : a form of social, economic, or political organization or practice
the capitalist system
2 : an organized set of doctrines, ideas, or principles usually intended to explain the arrangement or working of a systematic whole
the Newtonian system of mechanics
3a : an organized or established procedure
the touch system of typing
b : a manner of classifying, symbolizing, or schematizing
a taxonomic system the decimal system
4 : harmonious arrangement or pattern : order bring system out of confusion— Ellen Glasgow
5 : an organized society or social situation regarded as stultifying or oppressive : establishment sense 2 —usually used with the
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Other Words from system
systemless \ ˈsi-stəm-ləs \ adjective
\ adjective
Examples of system in a Sentence
The players like the coach's system.
Under the new system, students will have to pass an exam to graduate.
She devised a new filing system.
We need a better system for handling incoming e-mail.
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Recent Examples on the Web Residents are also lobbying to be connected to a water system, but county officials said that could cost $20 million and take two years to complete.
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USA TODAY, "Pachyderm vacation rental, Cookie Monster overdoses, stolen baby Jesus statue found: News from around our 50 states," 28 Feb. 2020 Rod Hose, a former aerospace engineer who is now an expert in medical modelling at the University of Sheffield, led a recent project called EurValve, which developed a system to help doctors treat people with heart-valve disease.
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The Economist, "Cardiology Digital twins of hearts could help diagnose and treat cardiac disease," 27 Feb. 2020 The Conference of Rulers is composed of nine ethnic Malay hereditary state rulers who take turns being Malaysia’s king for five-year terms under a unique rotating monarchy system.
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Eileen Ng, BostonGlobe.com, "Malaysia’s Mahathir says Parliament will pick new PM," 27 Feb. 2020 The S20 Ultra has upped the flagship phone camera wars with a three-lens system that features a 108-megapixel mode on the main camera sensor and a 40-megapixel front-facing camera.
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Dallas News, "Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra: Huge screen, high resolution cameras and (finally) 5G," 27 Feb. 2020 Without ever finger-wagging, Data Feminism reveals inequities and offers a way out of a broken system in which the numbers are allowed to lie.
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Wired Staff, Wired, "WIRED's 13 Must-Read Books for Spring," 26 Feb. 2020 If your kayak didn’t come with a track system, consider getting and installing one to allow for such versatility.
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The Editors, Field & Stream, "Four Keys to Choosing a Fishing Rod Holder," 26 Feb. 2020 Contributing to the accident was a low-pressure natural gas distribution system designed and operated without adequate over-pressure protection.
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Evan Simko-bednarski, CNN, "Columbia Gas agrees to plead guilty in deadly 2018 Massachusetts explosions and leave the state, feds say," 26 Feb. 2020 The board also wants Tesla to design a more effective system to make sure the driver is always paying attention.
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Tom Krisher, Anchorage Daily News, "NTSB: Driver in fatal Tesla crash in California was playing a video game," 26 Feb. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'system.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for system
system
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of system
: a group of related parts that move or work together
: a body of a person or animal thought of as an entire group of parts that work together
: a group of organs that work together to perform an important function of the body
See the full definition for system in the English Language Learners Dictionary
system
nounsys·tem | \ ˈsi-stəm \
\Kids Definition of system
1 : a group of parts combined to form a whole that works or moves as a unit
a heating system A system of ropes and pulleys carried the baskets of stone … up to the ramparts.— Brian Jacques, Redwall
2 : a body that functions as a whole
The disease weakened his entire system.
3 : a group of organs that together perform an important function in the body
the nervous system
4 : an orderly way of managing, controlling, organizing, or doing something
a democratic system of government Dad has a system for planting a garden.
system
nounsys·tem | \ ˈsis-təm \
\Medical Definition of system
1a : a group of body organs or structures that together perform one or more vital functions — see circulatory system, digestive system, endocrine system, limbic system, nervous system, reproductive system, respiratory system
b : the body considered as a functional unit
2 : a manner of classifying, symbolizing, or schematizing
a taxonomic system
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Time Traveler for system
The first known use of system was circa 1638
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