the set of software that controls the overall operation of a computer system, typically by performing such tasks as memory allocation, job scheduling, and input/output control
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
op′erating sys′tem, [Computers.]
- Computingthe collection of software that directs a computer's operations, controlling and scheduling the execution of other programs, and managing storage, input/output, and communication resources. Abbr.: OS
- 1960–65
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'operating system' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
BIOS
- CPM
- DOS
- MS DOS
- MS-DOS
- OS
- UNIX
- agnostic
- boot
- cold start
- default
- demo
- disk operating system
- environment
- filename
- innovate
- job
- job control language
- machine
- middleware
- monitor
- open system
- os
- platform
- root
- rootkit
- shell
- software platform
- system program