1
: a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole
a number system
: such as
a(1)
: a group of interacting bodies under the influence of related forces
a gravitational system
(2)
: an assemblage of substances that is in or tends to equilibrium
a thermodynamic system
b(1)
: a group of body organs that together perform one or more vital functions
the digestive system
(2)
: the body considered as a functional unit
c
: a group of related natural objects or forces
a river system
d
: a group of devices or artificial objects or an organization forming a network especially for distributing something or serving a common purpose
a telephone system
a heating system
a highway system
a computer system
e
: a major division of rocks usually larger than a series and including all formed during a period or era
f
: a form of social, economic, or political organization or practice
the capitalist system
2
: an organized set of doctrines, ideas, or principles usually intended to explain the arrangement or working of a systematic whole
the Newtonian system of mechanics
3
a
: an organized or established procedure
the touch system of typing
b
: a manner of classifying, symbolizing, or schematizing
a taxonomic system
the decimal system
4
: harmonious arrangement or pattern : order
bring system out of confusion—
Ellen Glasgow
Ellen Glasgow5
: an organized society or social situation regarded as stultifying or oppressive : establishment sense 2
—usually used with the
Examples of system in a Sentence
The players like the coach's system.
Under the new system, students will have to pass an exam to graduate.
She devised a new filing system.
We need a better system for handling incoming e-mail.
Recent Examples on the Web
New acquisitions struggled to embrace Nancy’s system to the same extent, leaving the Crew vulnerable for a first-round upset in the 2024 playoffs against the New York Red Bulls.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
What To Know On Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is under Health and Human Services, said DOGE was given access to agency systems and technology.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
That person was granted access to NOAA's IT systems, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said on Feb. 5.
DOGE members accessed computer systems to search for staff and data related to diversity programs.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025
The place had horse stables where public utility workers kept the brawny animals that pulled the construction wagons as Baltimore built a water and sewer system.
—Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for system 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
What To Know On Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is under Health and Human Services, said DOGE was given access to agency systems and technology.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
That person was granted access to NOAA's IT systems, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said on Feb. 5.
DOGE members accessed computer systems to search for staff and data related to diversity programs.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025
The place had horse stables where public utility workers kept the brawny animals that pulled the construction wagons as Baltimore built a water and sewer system.
—Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for system
Dictionary Entries Near system
Cite this Entry
“System.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/system. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
system
noun
sys·tem
ˈsis-təm 
1
a
: a group of objects or units combined to form a whole and to move or work together
the railroad system
a park system
b
: a group of bodily organs that together carry on one or more vital functions
the digestive system
c
: the body considered as a functional unit
a system weakened by disease
d
: an orderly plan or method of governing or arranging
a democratic system of government
e
: a major division of rocks usually larger than a series and including all formed during a period or era
2
a
: a set of ideas or statements that explains the order or functioning of a whole
b
: a method of classifying, representing, or arranging
a decimal system of numbers
Medical Definition
system
noun
sys·tem
ˈsis-təm
1
a
: a group of body organs or structures that together perform one or more vital functions see circulatory system, digestive system, endocrine system, limbic system, nervous system, reproductive system, respiratory system
b
: the body considered as a functional unit
2
: a manner of classifying, symbolizing, or schematizing
a taxonomic system
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