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
For a more traditional look, go for the FINTORP system. — Jessica Dailey, Good Housekeeping, "Wall Storage," 11 Feb. 2019 The Core+ branding was reserved for systems that shipped with both Core processors as well as Intel’s Optane Memory technology, which speeds up the other storage in your PC. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Intel kills Optane 'Core+' desktop processor bundles as 3D XPoint venture dissolves," 15 Jan. 2019 There were extensive efforts to fix the Y2K bug, which posed very real threats to computer systems. — Adi Robertson, The Verge, "The biggest video games, tech news, and apocalyptic anxieties of 1998," 29 Dec. 2018 With that tweet, Trump made another extraordinary intervention into the U.S. judicial system. — Taimoor Shah, The Seattle Times, "Trump to ‘review’ case of Green Beret accused of murdering Afghan," 16 Dec. 2018 The images were accompanied by the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent, and many accused Ireland's judicial system of promoting rape culture. — Amira Rasool, Teen Vogue, "Women in Ireland Are Posting Images of Their Underwear to Protest Rape Culture," 20 Nov. 2018 Your blood sugar level is incredibly important to many systems in your body. — Korin Miller, SELF, "The Diabetes Symptom That Finally Helped Nick Jonas Get a Diagnosis," 19 Nov. 2018 But the rise of Chinese smartphone makers and popular local software systems threatens that success. — Tripp Mickle, WSJ, "Apple’s China Problem May Require a New iPhone," 30 Jan. 2019 The first robot has stirring and squeeze push functions, and the second robot is concerned with print path generation and maintaining an operating system. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Made of Giant Concrete Blocks, the World's Longest 3D-Printed Bridge Was Built in 18 Days," 28 Jan. 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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