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Glite Dictionary
system administrator

system administrator

4 4.0
A person who manages and keeps a computer network working in a company or school
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪstəm ədˈmɪnɪˌstreɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : administrador del sistema
  • The Event Viewer is designed to help system administrators keep tabs on their computers and troubleshoot problems.

Examples

  • I got a job offer to be a Unix system administrator a week before I graduated in 1991.

    Blog text (6)

  • The Alert Manager is available under the "List of Applications" in the Oracle portal, if the system administrator has configured access for the user.

    Academic text (2005)

  • In the process of these activities, system administrators may see e-mail and files.

    Academic text (2009)

  • In addition, procedures and training are available to system administrators and users to ensure consistent usage.

    Blog text (15)

  • We haven't figured out a solution that works for system administrators yet.

    Blog text (6)

  • Over the course of time, UEA's systems administrators made several changes to the way email flows through their systems.

    Blog text (19)

  • If difficulties persist, please contact the System Administrator of this site and report the error below.

    Blog text (20)

  • Tom Limoncelli from Google spoke about some of his thoughts on a university-level degree for system administrators.

    Blog text (24)

  • Marry Mushrush, systems administrator at Colorado's Adams County School District 50, is among the visionaries.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The system administrator ensures that all network connections are secure and functioning properly.

Synonyms

administrator
vssystem administrator
232 3.7

A person who manages and runs an organization like a business or government agency

focuses instead on technical upkeep and operation of computer networks in a business
admin
vssystem administrator
  • Jargon
35 3.2

A person who manages an online group or website

focuses on hands-on maintenance of business computer networks and technical infrastructure

How Senior

director
∞ 3.0
system administrator
  • Specialized
4 4.0

Surface Forms

system administrator singular
system administrators plural

Morphology

system + administrator

The meaning 'a person responsible for managing a computer system or network' is directly and compositionally derived from 'system' (a collection of interacting components) + 'administrator' (a person who runs or manages). This follows a common noun+noun compound pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

System administrator comes from a simple, literal idea: system means a group of computers and programs and administrator is a person who 'looks after' or manages things, so a system administrator is the person who keeps the computer system running and working well.