What does system mean?

Definitions for system
ˈsɪs təmsys·tem

Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word system.

Princeton's WordNet(4.34 / 44 votes)Rate this definition:

system(noun)
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
"he bought a new stereo system"; "the system consists of a motor and a small computer"
system, scheme(noun)
a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole
"a vast system of production and distribution and consumption keep the country going"
system(noun)
(physical chemistry) a sample of matter in which substances in different phases are in equilibrium
"in a static system oil cannot be replaced by water on a surface"; "a system generating hydrogen peroxide"
system, system of rules(noun)
a complex of methods or rules governing behavior
"they have to operate under a system they oppose"; "that language has a complex system for indicating gender"
arrangement, organization, organisation, system(noun)
an organized structure for arranging or classifying
"he changed the arrangement of the topics"; "the facts were familiar but it was in the organization of them that he was original"; "he tried to understand their system of classification"
system(noun)
a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts
"the body has a system of organs for digestion"
system(noun)
a procedure or process for obtaining an objective
"they had to devise a system that did not depend on cooperation"
system(noun)
the living body considered as made up of interdependent components forming a unified whole
"exercise helped him get the alcohol out of his system"
organization, organisation, system(noun)
an ordered manner; orderliness by virtue of being methodical and well organized
"his compulsive organization was not an endearing quality"; "we can't do it unless we establish some system around here"

Wiktionary(3.25 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

system(Noun)
A collection of organized things; as in a solar system.
Etymology: From late systema, from σύστημα, from σύν + ἵστημι.
system(Noun)
A way of organising or planning.
Many people believed communism was a good system until the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Etymology: From late systema, from σύστημα, from σύν + ἵστημι.
system(Noun)
A whole composed of relationships among the members.
Etymology: From late systema, from σύστημα, from σύν + ἵστημι.
system(Noun)
A set of staffs that indicate instruments or sounds that are to be played simultaneously.
Etymology: From late systema, from σύστημα, from σύν + ἵστημι.
system(Noun)
A set of equations involving the same variables, which are to be solved simultaneously.
Etymology: From late systema, from σύστημα, from σύν + ἵστημι.

Webster Dictionary(1.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

System(noun)
an assemblage of objects arranged in regular subordination, or after some distinct method, usually logical or scientific; a complete whole of objects related by some common law, principle, or end; a complete exhibition of essential principles or facts, arranged in a rational dependence or connection; a regular union of principles or parts forming one entire thing; as, a system of philosophy; a system of government; a system of divinity; a system of botany or chemistry; a military system; the solar system
Etymology: [L. systema, Gr. , fr. to place together; sy`n with + to place: cf. F. systme. See Stand.]
System(noun)
hence, the whole scheme of created things regarded as forming one complete plan of whole; the universe
Etymology: [L. systema, Gr. , fr. to place together; sy`n with + to place: cf. F. systme. See Stand.]
System(noun)
regular method or order; formal arrangement; plan; as, to have a system in one's business
Etymology: [L. systema, Gr. , fr. to place together; sy`n with + to place: cf. F. systme. See Stand.]
System(noun)
the collection of staves which form a full score. See Score, n
Etymology: [L. systema, Gr. , fr. to place together; sy`n with + to place: cf. F. systme. See Stand.]
System(noun)
an assemblage of parts or organs, either in animal or plant, essential to the performance of some particular function or functions which as a rule are of greater complexity than those manifested by a single organ; as, the capillary system, the muscular system, the digestive system, etc.; hence, the whole body as a functional unity
Etymology: [L. systema, Gr. , fr. to place together; sy`n with + to place: cf. F. systme. See Stand.]
System(noun)
one of the stellate or irregular clusters of intimately united zooids which are imbedded in, or scattered over, the surface of the common tissue of many compound ascidians
Etymology: [L. systema, Gr. , fr. to place together; sy`n with + to place: cf. F. systme. See Stand.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

System
A system is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole or a set of elements and relationships which are different from relationships of the set or its elements to other elements or sets. Fields that study the general properties of systems include Systems science, systems theory, cybernetics, dynamical systems, thermodynamics, and complex systems. They investigate the abstract properties of systems' matter and organization, looking for concepts and principles that are independent of domain, substance, type, or temporal scale. Some systems share common characteristics, including: ⁕A system has structure, it contains parts that are directly or indirectly related to each other; ⁕A system has behavior, it contains processes that transform inputs into outputs; ⁕A system has interconnectivity: the parts and processes are connected by structural and/or behavioral relationships. ⁕A system's structure and behavior may be decomposed via subsystems and sub-processes to elementary parts and process steps. The term system may also refer to a set of rules that governs structure and/or behavior. Alternatively, and usually in the context of complex social systems, the term institution is used to describe the set of rules that govern structure and/or behavior.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

System
sis′tem, n. anything formed of parts placed together or adjusted into a regular and connected whole: an assemblage of bodies as a connected whole: an orderly arrangement of objects according to some common law or end: regular method or order: a full and connected view of some department of knowledge: an explanatory hypothesis or theory: the universe.—adjs. Systemat′ic, -al, pertaining to, or consisting of, system: formed or done according to system: methodical.—adv. Systemat′ically.—ns. Systemati′cian; Systematisā′tion, Systemisā′tion.—vs.t. Sys′tematise, Sys′temise, to reduce to a system.—ns. Sys′tematiser; Sys′tematism; Sys′tematist; Systematol′ogy.—adjs. System′ic, systematic; pertaining to the human system; Sys′temless, without system: not exhibiting organic structure.—ns. Sys′tem-māk′er, -mon′ger, one unduly fond of constructing systems. [Gr. systēma—syn, together, histēmi, I place.]

The New Hacker's Dictionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

system
1. The supervisor program or OS on a computer. 2. The entire computer system, including input/output devices, the supervisor program or OS, and possibly other software. 3. Any large-scale program. 4. Any method or algorithm. 5. System hacker: one who hacks the system (in senses 1 and 2 only; for sense 3 one mentions the particular program: e.g., LISP hacker)

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

system
A functionally, physically, and/or behaviorally related group of regularly interacting or interdependent elements; that group of elements forming a unified whole.

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

system
The method of disposing the correlative parts of a fortification, proposed variously by many eminent engineers.

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

system
In fortification, is a particular arrangement and mode of constructing the different works surrounding a fortified place. The principal systems now studied are those of Marshal Vauban, and the improved method invented by Cormontaigne, the celebrated French engineer.
system
A scheme which reduces many things to regular dependence or co-operation. This word is frequently applied to some particular mode of drilling and exercising men to fit them for manœuvres and evolutions. Hence, the Prussian system, the Austrian system, etc.

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

system
A group of interacting components.
The power plant has a number of components and systems that contribute to the facilities at the plant.
Submitted by MaryC on January 13, 2016
system
A network of connected or related computer software, hardware, and data transmission device.
The company e-commerce system was a network of computers, software, hardware and data transmission device that empowered its technology and workers to produce and work effectively.
Submitted by MaryC on January 13, 2016
system
A network of interconnected structured and systematic vision, strategy, goals, plans, objectives, budget, policies, processes, procedures and structures for a person, business, company, enterprise, organization, forms of unity assembly, unity council, unity legislature, unity senate, unity house of representatives, unity government, local unity government, regional unity government, national unity government, european unity government and international unity government with the focus on creating positively in order of priority of optimum health, human rights, right to life, civil rights, ethical, fair, just and moral shared prosperity for all, stability, unity government, solidarity, cohesion, human rights, animal rights, right to housing, right to education, right to be a parent, right to childcare, right to a standard of living, right to internet access, economic stability, financial stability, equal rights, equal opportunities, employment rights, childrens rights, sustainable development, sustainable development goals, united partnership, multi-party working, community empowerment systems, equal distribution of income, wealth, fairness and justness across society, the country, europe and the world and contribute to the cocreation of global and national peace agreements, peace treaties, the universes truth and a fair, just and transparent system of checks and balances.
The unity government structure and systems are so easy to navigate as each country has identical structures and systems.
Submitted by MaryC on April 8, 2020
system
A network of structures and channels for communication, travel or distribution.
The city transport system is a vital system for the transport and distribution of people and goods to their chosen destination.
Submitted by MaryC on January 13, 2016
system
An organism as a whole and the interaction with the accurate and specific processes or functions that contribute to the function of the organism.
An organism has a number of systems within it e.g. the human body has a number of systems within the body.
Submitted by MaryC on January 13, 2016

British National Corpus

Spoken Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'system' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #171
Written Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'system' in Written Corpus Frequency: #476
Nouns Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'system' in Nouns Frequency: #14

How to pronounce system?

Alex
US English
Daniel
British
Karen
Australian
Veena
Indian

How to say system in sign language?

Numerology

Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of system in Chaldean Numerology is: 2
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of system in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of system in a Sentence

Bernie Sanders:
We are going to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, we're going to rebuild the pipe system, the water system here in Flint, we're going to make sure that all of those people affected have the health care that they need and that those that were affected also get the educational opportunities that they need.
Leon Rodriguez:
There's been a very remarkable increase in the number of people asking for asylum in the last five or six years or so, and ... it looks very much like people were trying to take advantage of a very lenient system and one they would not be penalized for using and that motivates illegal immigration and harms the integrity of our legal immigration system.
John Fleming:
Although companies could automate all customer communication with a system like Freshdesk, they should resist the urge, because people tend to prefer human touchpoints.
Elspeth Cameron Ritchie:
I think the VA is in the lead on treatment of PTSD. Are they doing as much as they could be? It's no secret that the VA is an overwhelmed system, and it's no secret to anybody that the VA can't handle it all.
Jan Egeland:
If there is no accountability, the system doesn't work. I'm refusing to give up.