# software

/ˈsɔfˌwɛɹ/ (US) · /sˈɒftweə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/software
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. military personnel

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

the people involved in a war, rather than the weapons or vehicles.

For teachers: the human element of a military operation or organization, contrasted with hardware such as weaponry and equipment.

- The general argued that the army needed better training for its software, not just new tanks.
- Strategic analysts often emphasize that the quality of military software—the soldiers and their tactical training—is as critical as the hardware they operate.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialized metaphor used in defense and strategic circles; it is not common in everyday conversation.

## Examples

- I need to update the software on my laptop.
- The company spent thousands of dollars on new accounting software to help manage their taxes.
- Modern aircraft rely heavily on sophisticated software to manage flight controls and navigation, making the reliability of the code as critical as the mechanical integrity of the engines.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.