user interface

noun

plural user interfaces

: software that is designed to allow a computer user to interact with the operating system of a machine or system (such as by selecting presented options or entering text commands)

Likewise, the user interface is remarkably unintuitive, requiring a whirlwind of relentless mouse clicking to move, talk, touch, look, or manipulate onscreen objects.

—Scott A. May

… a new user interface he vows will change the way people use computers.

—InfoWorld

especially : graphical user interface

—abbreviation UI

Examples of user interface in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Notably, the user interface features a cleaner and more legible menu system compared with the game's previous releases. —PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2025

Downloading books is seamless, and the user interface makes smart recommendations for what to read next. —Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

Having rapidly grown from startup to dominant pay-TV operator, YouTube TV now appears to be looking to level up again by incorporating partners’ streaming programming directly into its user interface. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025

The difference shows up in everything from user interface design that feels like home to features that assume our success rather than our struggle. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for user interface

• asparaginase
• dehydrogenase
• lipoxygenase
• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase

Kids Definition

user interface

noun

: software that is designed to allow a computer user to interact with the operating system of a machine or system

especially : graphical user interface