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operating system

operating system

119 3.4
Software that controls a computer and lets other programs run
  • noun
  • /ˈɑːpəˌreɪtɪŋ ˈsɪstəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sistema operativo
  • The new operating system improved the computer's performance significantly.
  • operating system software
  • operating system and applications
  • run under operating systems

Going from that operating system to Windows is quite a jump.

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Examples

  • So this means that software installations are isolated from the core operating system, right?

  • And I do feel that the average consumer will have a easier time using the iOS operating system since it really does just work.

  • Going from that operating system to Windows is quite a jump.

  • So which operating system do you love?

  • And what operating system are you running?

  • But if you want the Mac operating system, you get it in this guy.

  • Check for errors in your operating system.

  • Well, as far as operating systems go, I think Android's really, really good.

  • Welcome to the Synergy operating system.

  • They also announced the new name of the next operating system and it's called High Sierra.

Synonyms

OS
vsoperating system
  • Specialized
82 3.4

Software that controls a computer and lets programs run

means the same but is the abbreviated form used in writing

How Complex

operating system
  • Specialized
119 3.4
desktop
35 2.8
mobile
  • Specialized
347 3.4
microkernel
  • Specialized
1 8.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

operating + system

The phrase combines 'operating' (actively functioning) and 'system' (a set of interacting components) in a straightforward compositional way, so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a system that operates or manages functions. This construction is cross-linguistically common (e.g. Spanish 'sistema operativo', French 'système d'exploitation'), making the meaning immediately accessible to B1 learners.

Etymology

Operating system comes from the idea that the word operating means 'making something work' and system means a group of parts working together, like a manager in a factory telling machines what to do. That's why it means the software that 'controls' the computer's hardware and programs.