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
This article was generated by software that analyzes National Weather Service warnings and advisories and creates an article based on templates created by humans.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
As such, jailbreaking an F-35 would allow a nation to customize the jet’s software without authorization.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
Last week, Wall Street shook when stocks of software and other companies tumbled as investors hunted for companies that could be potential losers if AI ends up remaking the world and their industries.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for software
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Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
As such, jailbreaking an F-35 would allow a nation to customize the jet’s software without authorization.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
Last week, Wall Street shook when stocks of software and other companies tumbled as investors hunted for companies that could be potential losers if AI ends up remaking the world and their industries.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 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 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
software
noun
soft·ware
ˈsȯf-ˌtwa(ə)r
-ˌtwe(ə)r
: the programs and related information used by a computer
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