system
System (noun) means a set of related parts that work together as a whole. Example: “The human body has several organ systems working together to keep it alive.”
How to Use System
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA set of parts, rules, or institutions that function together as one connected whole.
Word Forms
systems plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The human body has several organ _____ working together to keep it alive.
Etymology
From Late Latin systema, "an organized whole," from Ancient Greek sustema, from sunistemi, "to combine, organize" (syn-, "together," plus histemi, "to stand").
Related Words
Rhymes for system
See all rhymes for system →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “system” mean?
The word “system” means a set of related parts that work together as a whole. In plain terms, a set of parts, rules, or institutions that function together as one connected whole.
How do you pronounce “system”?
“System” is pronounced SIHS-tuhm (/ˈsɪstəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “system” in a sentence?
Here is “system” used in a sentence: “The human body has several organ systems working together to keep it alive.”
What part of speech is “system”?
“System” is a noun.
Where does the word “system” come from?
The word “system” comes from Ancient Greek. From Late Latin systema, "an organized whole," from Ancient Greek sustema, from sunistemi, "to combine, organize" (syn-, "together," plus histemi, "to stand").
Is “system” a common word?
“System” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “system” have?
“System” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a set of related parts that work together as a whole.
What are the types of systems?
Systems come in many forms. Physical systems include the solar system or a home's plumbing; biological systems include the nervous and immune systems; and abstract systems include a number system, a legal system, or a belief system. What unites them all is separate parts interacting to function as one organized whole.
What is an example of a system?
The human body is a classic example: the circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems each contain parts that cooperate toward a single purpose. Everyday examples include a computer's operating system, a city's transit system, or an office filing system — any arrangement where distinct components work together to produce a result.
What is the difference between a system and a process?
A system is the set of connected parts, while a process is the sequence of steps that runs through them. A payroll system is the software, data, and rules; running payroll each month is the process. Systems are the structures that stay in place; processes are the activities they carry out over time.
Why are systems important?
Systems bring order and predictability. By organizing parts to work together, they let complex tasks happen reliably and efficiently, from delivering electricity to running a business. Understanding a system also makes problems easier to fix, because you can trace how a fault in one part affects the behavior of the whole.