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computer system

computer system

69 2.8
A group of computers and software that work together to store and use data
  • noun
  • /kəmˈpjuːtər ˈsɪstəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sistema informático
  • Many operations still use older computer systems and have no regular, planned means of upgrades.
  • use a computer system
  • information in computer systems
  • a new computer system

And basically those assets are controlled centrally within that bank's computer system.

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Examples

  • Many businesses rely on a robust computer system to manage their data and operations.

  • This example demonstrates how computer systems, far from being somehow objective, reflect human values, biases and blind spots.

  • I wonder what their computer systems are like.

  • It's a direct feed to our computer system.

  • But your computer... your computer system has been here for a long time.

  • We need only focus on four results an office computer system can provide.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Each of the eight authorities I visited had a computer system, but none was the same one.

    Academic text (1994)
  • They're all linked into the central computer system.

  • The speed and accuracy of a properly implemented computer system cannot be matched by manual methods.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The impressive, weird computer system hums as it shifts programs, the unusual brain image changing colors.

    Fiction book (2000)

Synonyms

system
vscomputer system
2.7

A group of connected parts that work together as a whole, like a computer or machine

applies specifically to collections of computers and shared software resources
computing system
vscomputer system
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A group of computers and software that work together to store and process information

is the same concept but uses the more usual name
automatic data processing system
vscomputer system
  • Specialized
4.7

A set of computers and programs that store, process, and find data automatically

is broader, covering units with shared storage not limited to data tasks
ADP system
vscomputer system
  • Specialized
6.1

A set of computers and programs that automatically store and manage employee data

is more general, referring to any computers and shared resources

How Complex

distributed data processing
  • Specialized
4.2
cloud
  • Specialized
238 3.5
to network
  • Specialized
9 3.2
computer system
  • Specialized
69 2.8
standalone
6 4.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

computer + system

The meaning is directly compositional: 'system' (a collection of interacting components) modified by 'computer' specifies a collection of computers and related software/resources, which matches the given definition. This straightforward noun–noun compounding is cross-linguistically common and follows predictable English composition patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Computer system comes from the simple image of parts working as one: a computer (the machine) plus programs, storage and other devices making a system. Think of old rooms of big machines connected by cables—when they 'worked together' they became one unit, so today computer system means the computers and software that act as a single whole.