operating system

noun

: software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of programs (as by assigning storage space in memory and controlling input and output functions)

Examples of operating system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Google's ChromeOS operating system powers these laptops, and it's designed to get peak performance out of underpowered hardware. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 Smart monitors connect to the Internet and run their own operating system (OS) and apps. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026 Queen One is an AI infrastructure company developing a new operating system for commerce, including retailers and apparel brands. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026 Also keep your operating system, browser and security apps updated. — Jesse Watson , Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for operating system

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of operating system was in 1961

Rhymes for operating system

See All Rhymes for operating system

Browse Nearby Words

operating room
operating system
operating table
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Operating system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operating%20system. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

operating system

noun
: software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of the user's programs (as by controlling input and output functions)

More from Merriam-Webster on operating system

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about operating system

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All