SINCE 1828
system
noun
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
Joseph Lawrence has a different system of evaluating worth. — Elena Nicolaou, refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale," 7 June 2019 The international bonus pool system is nauseating at its face, often restricting the value of international players to fractions of their true market value. — The Si Staff, SI.com, "How Can the MLB Draft Be Improved?," 5 June 2019 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off goes so far as to suggest that the entire system is bogus, so why even bother following the rules to begin with? — Kristen Evans, The New Republic, "Booksmart Deserved Better," 5 June 2019 Our entire goal is connecting the community with those who are incarcerated because the prison system is an abysmal failure. — Joe Heim, Washington Post, "‘Books and brotherhood’: Her club aims to help prisoners start new chapters in their lives," 5 June 2019 The area of low pressure near southern Texas and northeastern Mexico has a zero percent chance of becoming a tropical system, according to the National Hurricane Center. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "Tropical system near Texas coast may bring flooding but won’t develop, hurricane center says," 5 June 2019 While over a dozen exoplanets have been directly imaged, this is only the second time that a multi-planet system has been photographed, researchers say. — Fox News, "Growing alien worlds spotted in 'planet nursery' around young star," 5 June 2019 He has not created, and would not be able to create, a system of lies. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "Chernobyl: Devastating Indictment of Socialism, Not Trumpism," 5 June 2019 County Clerk Diane Trautman said a trial run of the system during the low-turnout school board elections in May was successful. — Zach Despart, Houston Chronicle, "Harris County aims to expand countywide polling to general elections," 4 June 2019These 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
noun
English 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
noun
sys·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
noun
sys·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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