software
UK /ˈsɒf(t)ˌwɛə/ · US /ˈsɔf(t)ˌwɛɹ/ noun
Forms softwares
- noun (computing) Encoded computer instructions, usually modifiable (unless stored in some form of unalterable memory such as ROM). “Some software will only run on a particular platform.”
- noun (military) The human beings involved in warfare, as opposed to hardware such as weapons and vehicles.
- noun (music industry, dated) Recorded music content, as opposed to the hardware necessary for reproducing it.
- noun (archaic) Soft goods, such as textiles.
Synonyms
program app software program computer software software system software package package
Antonyms
Etymology
Computing sense from soft + -ware, by contrast with hardware (“the computer itself”). Coined by John Tukey in 1958. The earlier sense of software to mean tangible products with a soft texture may have fallen out of common usage before the computing sense was created.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “software”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details