# system

/ˈsɪstəm/ (US) · /sˈɪstəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/system
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. working parts together

noun · CEFR A2

a set of things or parts that work together as a single unit.

For teachers: a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in which each part contributes to the overall function.

- The heating system in the building is old and needs to be replaced.
- The engineers spent months designing a cooling system that could handle the extreme heat generated by the new server farm.

### 2. a method or process

noun · CEFR B1

a specific way or method of doing something, often with a clear plan.

For teachers: a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method.

- She has a great system for filing her taxes so she never loses a receipt.
- The library implemented a new classification system to help students locate academic journals more efficiently.

### 3. the human body

noun · CEFR B1

a group of organs in the body that work together to do a job.

For teachers: a group of body organs or structures that together perform one or more vital functions.

- Eating healthy food is good for your digestive system.
- The immune system identifies and neutralizes foreign substances to protect the body from infection and disease.

### 4. computing

noun · CEFR A2

a computer and the software that makes it work.

For teachers: a computer, including the hardware, operating system, and peripheral equipment, treated as a single entity.

- I need to restart the system because the screen is frozen.
- The administrator updated the operating system across the entire network to patch several critical security vulnerabilities.

### 5. politics and society

noun · CEFR B2

the way a country or society is organized and controlled.

For teachers: the prevailing political or social order, often viewed as an impersonal or oppressive force.

- Many young people want to change the political system to make it fairer.
- The activists argued that the current economic system prioritizes short-term profit over long-term environmental sustainability.

### 6. astronomy

noun · CEFR B1

a group of planets or stars that move together in space.

For teachers: a group of celestial objects connected by their mutual gravitational attraction.

- Earth is just one of the planets in our solar system.
- Astronomers are searching for habitable planets in distant star systems that resemble our own.

## Examples

- The school has a new system for tracking student attendance.
- The city's public transport system relies heavily on a network of underground trains and electric buses.
- The philosopher argued that any political system must carefully balance individual liberties with the collective needs of the society it governs.

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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.