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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Xi says GoDaddy wants to be more certain about the user interface design and also more measured about a full deployment because of the potential impact on revenue. John Kell, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025 That’s because new hardware devices can use AI to create new user interfaces and features that aren’t possible with smartphones. Kif Leswing, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025 The user interface on the Seestar app was very intuitive and simple to operate. Harry Bennett, Space.com, 28 Nov. 2025 Most smart watches offer some sort of health tracking, but Garmin’s user interface and its ability to give your training status and sleep status a numerical score is what sets it apart for me. Graham Averill, Outside, 12 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for user interface

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of user interface was in 1967

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Cite this Entry

“User interface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/user%20interface. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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