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
Technology risks alone are material and growing constantly, from data breaches to software vulnerabilities and operating outages.
—Ryan Weissmueller, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Shares of the software giant, which are up about 2% this year, are the only of the Mag 7 that have eked out a gain.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 1 May 2025
With eight players left in the game, and Erickson’s strong alliance of four, that left Zheng, physical education coach Mitch Guerra, software engineer Kamilla Karthigesu and sales expert Star Toomey to fend for themselves.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025
One consortium launched by the Joint Office pulled together auto companies and charging companies, hardware experts and software experts, to hash out roadblocks that were making so many EV chargers unreliable.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025
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.
Ryan Weissmueller, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Shares of the software giant, which are up about 2% this year, are the only of the Mag 7 that have eked out a gain.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 1 May 2025
With eight players left in the game, and Erickson’s strong alliance of four, that left Zheng, physical education coach Mitch Guerra, software engineer Kamilla Karthigesu and sales expert Star Toomey to fend for themselves.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025
One consortium launched by the Joint Office pulled together auto companies and charging companies, hardware experts and software experts, to hash out roadblocks that were making so many EV chargers unreliable.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for software
Cite this Entry
“Software.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/software. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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
Share