software

[ sawft-wair, soft- ]
/ ˈsɔftˌwɛər, ˈsɒft- /

noun

Computers. the programs used to direct the operation of a computer, as well as documentation giving instructions on how to use them. Compare hardware(def 5).
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.
Television Slang. prepackaged materials, as movies or reruns, used to fill out the major part of a station's program schedule.

Origin of software

First recorded in 1955–60; soft + ware1

Example sentences from the Web for software

British Dictionary definitions for software

software
/ (ˈsɒftˌwɛə) /

noun

computing the programs that can be used with a particular computer system Compare hardware (def. 2)
video cassettes and discs for use with a particular video system

Scientific definitions for software

software
[ sôftwâr′ ]

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

Cultural definitions for software

software

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