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system

n.
US //ˈsɪstəm// UK //sˈɪstəm// sys·tem
  1. 1 working parts together (n.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

    The heating system in the building is old and needs to be replaced.

    Example

    The engineers spent months designing a cooling system that could handle the extreme heat generated by the new server farm.
  2. 2 a method or process (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Example

    She has a great system for filing her taxes so she never loses a receipt.

    Example

    The library implemented a new classification system to help students locate academic journals more efficiently.
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  1. 3 the human body (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

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

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

    Example

    Eating healthy food is good for your digestive system.

    Example

    The immune system identifies and neutralizes foreign substances to protect the body from infection and disease.
  2. 4 computing (n.)
    A2 Elementary Computing

    a computer and the software that makes it work.

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

    Example

    I need to restart the system because the screen is frozen.

    Example

    The administrator updated the operating system across the entire network to patch several critical security vulnerabilities.
  3. 5 politics and society (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Politics

    the way a country or society is organized and controlled.

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

    Example

    Many young people want to change the political system to make it fairer.

    Example

    The activists argued that the current economic system prioritizes short-term profit over long-term environmental sustainability.
  4. 6 astronomy (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Science

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

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

    Example

    Earth is just one of the planets in our solar system.

    Example

    Astronomers are searching for habitable planets in distant star systems that resemble our own.
Origin

Partly borrowed from Middle French sisteme, systeme, partly directly from its etymon Late Latin systēma (“harmony; musical scale; set of celestial objects; set of troops; system”), from Ancient Greek σύστημα (sústēma, “musical scale; organized body; whole made of several parts or members”), from σῠνίστημῐ (sŭnístēmĭ, “to combine, organize”) + -μᾰ (-mă, resultative suffix). σῠνίστημῐ is from σῠν- (sŭn-, “with, together”) + ἵστημι (hístēmi, “to stand”), from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand (up)”). Cognate with Dutch systeem, modern French système, German System, Italian sistema, Portuguese sistema, Spanish sistema. Doublet of systema.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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