system
SIHS-tuhm
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.”
noun
1
A set of related parts that work together as a whole.
"The human body has several organ systems working together to keep it alive."
"They installed a new security system in the office."
"The heating system in our flat is controlled by one small panel."
2
A computer's hardware and software working together.
"My old system is so slow that it takes minutes to start up."
"The technician checked the whole system to find out why the screen kept freezing."
"The system crashed twice during the update."
3
A structured method or approach for organizing or doing something.
"He developed his own filing system for the paperwork."
"Our teacher has a simple system for marking homework quickly."
"Using a colour-coded system, she sorted the library books by topic."
4
The established institutions and authorities of a society, especially seen as impersonal or oppressive.
"She felt like she was fighting the system just to get a fair hearing."
"Many young people feel the system ignores them and does not listen."
"He believes you cannot change the system by simply complaining about it."
How to use system
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA set of parts, rules, or institutions that function together as one connected whole.
Common pairings
operating system
immune system
fight the system
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Word forms
- Plural
- systems
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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").
Synonyms
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framework
structure
network
setup
arrangement
organization
mechanism
scheme
organisation
system of rules
Antonyms
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.
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