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
After opening its 560,000-square-foot campus overlooking Lady Bird Lake in 2018, the software giant last year announced plans to relocate to Nashville's East Bank by 2031.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
However, the patch doesn’t cover all versions of the software that was breached, and the damage may have already been done; cryptographic keys stolen in the breach could allow hackers to retain access without a reset.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
But systolic arrays and other dataflow efforts are restricted to a subset of all the possible data paths software might demand, Lucia says.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025
Some of that reflects the early nature of the software.
—ArsTechnica, 24 July 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.
Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
However, the patch doesn’t cover all versions of the software that was breached, and the damage may have already been done; cryptographic keys stolen in the breach could allow hackers to retain access without a reset.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
But systolic arrays and other dataflow efforts are restricted to a subset of all the possible data paths software might demand, Lucia says.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025
Some of that reflects the early nature of the software.
—ArsTechnica, 24 July 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 29 Jul. 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