operating system

noun

: software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of programs (as by assigning storage space in memory and controlling input and output functions)

Examples of operating system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Gerstner’s key change was to scrap IBM’s culture of selling bundled products that only worked with other IBM goods, from PCs to operating systems to software. Patrick Oster, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025 Keeping your operating system and security tools updated also closes security gaps that criminals exploit to gather personal data. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025 The good news is that unlike phones, that can have their operating systems become obsolete, telescopes, drones and the like don't automatically become less useful. Chris McMullen, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2025 The creative operating system What makes Cohen’s results consistently exceptional isn’t just technical skill or artistic vision in isolation. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for operating system

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of operating system was in 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Operating system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operating%20system. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

operating system

noun
: software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of the user's programs (as by controlling input and output functions)

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