software
noun
soft·ware
ˈsȯft-ˌwer 
: something used or associated with and usually contrasted with hardware: such as
a
: programs for a computer
accounting software
b
dated
: the entire set of programs, procedures, and related documentation associated with a mechanical or electronic system and especially a computer system
c
: materials for use with audiovisual equipment
… television programs, music, and movies are now called software, by the way …—
Robert Bixby
Robert BixbyExamples of software in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Broadcom shares plunged nearly 14% after-hours after the company reported weaker-than-expected software revenue and didn't raise its full-year AI chip sales target.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Having met his target, Van Zuilen set to work combining and editing the data using the astronomy software PixInsight.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 June 2026
The business software firm was forced to delay its 2004 IPO by a month.
—Greg Bensinger, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The companies have also worked together to develop the software and protocols needed to perform error correction on Atom’s hardware.
—ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for software
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.
Dylan Butts, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Having met his target, Van Zuilen set to work combining and editing the data using the astronomy software PixInsight.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 June 2026
The business software firm was forced to delay its 2004 IPO by a month.
—Greg Bensinger, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The companies have also worked together to develop the software and protocols needed to perform error correction on Atom’s hardware.
—ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for software
Cite this Entry
“Software.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/software. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
software
noun
soft·ware
ˈsȯf-ˌtwa(ə)r
-ˌtwe(ə)r
: the programs and related information used by a computer
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
