software

[sawft-wair, soft-]

noun

1. Computers.,  the programs used to direct the operation of a computer, as well as documentation giving instructions on how to use them.

2. anything that is not hardware but is used with hardware, especially audiovisual materials, as film, tapes, records, etc..

   a studio fully equipped but lacking software.

3. Television Slang.,  prepackaged materials, as movies or reruns, used to fill out the major part of a station's program schedule.

software

/ ˈsɒftˌwɛə /

noun

1. computing the programs that can be used with a particular computer system Compare hardware

2. video cassettes and discs for use with a particular video system

software

1. The programs, programming languages, and data that direct the operations of a computer system. Word processing programs and Internet browsers are examples of software.

2. Compare hardware

software

1. The programs and instructions that run a computer, as opposed to the actual physical machinery and devices that compose the hardware.

Word History and Origins

Origin of software¹

First recorded in 1955–60; soft + ware ¹

Example Sentences

Ms Lanuszka was fired from her job in July 2023 after her employer used spy software to track her computer to find out she had been using it for personal matters.

From BBC

Bosses at the company will be reviewing data from a HR software programme to monitor progress, the newspaper said.

From BBC

She also believes her work as a software engineer will benefit young people in the classroom.

From BBC

BBC Verify has run the clip through SynthID - Google's AI detection software - and found no evidence that the footage is fake.

From BBC

But the hacker would not say if they have successfully stolen private data from JLR or installed malicious software onto the company's network.

From BBC

Related Words

• application 
• application software www.thesaurus.com
• program 

When To Use

What is software?

Software is a program or virtual experience that directs the operation of a computer or electronic device, as in The software on my phone was so outdated, I couldn’t send texts to anyone.Software can refer to anything that is used with hardware but is not the hardware itself.Example: The hardware is great, but there just isn’t enough software to back it up.