system

[sis-tuh m] /ˈsɪs təm/
noun
1.
an assemblage or combination of things or parts forming a complex or unitary whole:
a mountain system; a railroad system.
2.
any assemblage or set of correlated members:
a system of currency; a system of shorthand characters.
3.
an ordered and comprehensive assemblage of facts, principles, doctrines, or the like in a particular field of knowledge or thought:
a system of philosophy.
4.
a coordinated body of methods or a scheme or plan of procedure; organizational scheme:
a system of government.
5.
any formulated, regular, or special method or plan of procedure:
a system of marking, numbering, or measuring; a winning system at bridge.
6.
due method or orderly manner of arrangement or procedure:
There is no system in his work.
7.
the world or universe.
8.
Astronomy.
  1. a number of heavenly bodies associated and acting together according to certain natural laws:
    the solar system.
  2. a hypothesis or theory of the disposition and arrangements of the heavenly bodies by which their phenomena, motions, changes, etc., are explained:
    the Ptolemaic system; the Copernican system.
9.
Biology.
  1. an assemblage of organs or related tissues concerned with the same function:
    the nervous system; the digestive system.
  2. the entire human or animal body considered as a functioning unit:
    an ingredient toxic to the system.
10.
one's psychological makeup, especially with reference to desires or preoccupations:
to get something out of one's system.
11.
a method or scheme of classification:
the Linnean system of plants.
12.
(sometimes initial capital letter) the prevailing structure or organization of society, business, or politics or of society in general; establishment (usually preceded by the):
to work within the system instead of trying to change it.
13.
Geology. a major division of rocks comprising sedimentary deposits and igneous masses formed during a single geologic period.
14.
Physical Chemistry. a combination of two or more phases, as a binary system, each of which consists of one or more substances, that is attaining or is in equilibrium.
15.
Computers. a working combination of hardware, software, and data communications devices.
16.
Checkers. either of the two groups of 16 playing squares on four alternate columns.
Origin
1610-20; < Late Latin systēma < Greek sýstēma whole compounded of several parts, equivalent to sy- sy- + stē- (variant stem of histánai to cause to stand; akin to Latin stāre to stand) + -ma noun suffix denoting result of action
Related forms
systemless, adjective
intersystem, adjective
supersystem, noun
Synonyms
1. organization. 7. cosmos. 9b. organism.
Examples from the web for system
  • As the crisis amply demonstrated, when trust erodes, the system freezes up.
  • It is a remarkably transparent system, your benefits are based on your income and the average rate of wage growth.
  • Over time that might prompt a much-needed consolidation of the political system.
  • He might initiate an anti-corruption show case, but he cannot fight the corruption that glues his system together.
  • Treatment costs little beyond their statutory payments to the system.
  • Some areas used to have competing water companies, each of which built its own system.
  • Spend any time with the system and you know that history is stacked against success.
  • The spleen is usually included in this list and sometimes the lymph and hemolymph nodes described with the lymphatic system.
  • From his earliest years he was subjected to a rigid system of intellectual discipline.
  • We may say here that it is a good system and a perfect system.
British Dictionary definitions for system

system

/ˈsɪstəm/
noun
1.
a group or combination of interrelated, interdependent, or interacting elements forming a collective entity; a methodical or coordinated assemblage of parts, facts, concepts, etc: a system of currency, the Copernican system
2.
any scheme of classification or arrangement: a chronological system
3.
a network of communications, transportation, or distribution
4.
a method or complex of methods: he has a perfect system at roulette
5.
orderliness; an ordered manner
6.
(often capital) the system, society seen as an environment exploiting, restricting, and repressing individuals
7.
an organism considered as a functioning entity
8.
any of various bodily parts or structures that are anatomically or physiologically related: the digestive system
9.
one's physiological or psychological constitution: get it out of your system
10.
any assembly of electronic, electrical, or mechanical components with interdependent functions, usually forming a self-contained unit: a brake system
11.
a group of celestial bodies that are associated as a result of natural laws, esp gravitational attraction: the solar system
12.
(chem) a sample of matter in which there are one or more substances in one or more phases See also phase rule
13.
a point of view or doctrine used to interpret a branch of knowledge
14.
(mineralogy) one of a group of divisions into which crystals may be placed on the basis of the lengths and inclinations of their axes Also called crystal system
15.
(geology) a stratigraphical unit for the rock strata formed during a period of geological time. It can be subdivided into series
Derived Forms
systemless, adjective
Word Origin
C17: from French système, from Late Latin systēma, from Greek sustēma, from syn- + histanai to cause to stand
Word Origin and History for system
n.

1610s, "the whole creation, the universe," from Late Latin systema "an arrangement, system," from Greek systema "organized whole, body," from syn- "together" (see syn-) + root of histanai "cause to stand" from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Meaning "set of correlated principles, facts, ideas, etc." first recorded 1630s. Meaning "animal body as an organized whole, sum of the vital processes in an organism" is recorded from 1680s; hence figurative phrase to get (something) out of one's system (1900). Computer sense of "group of related programs" is recorded from 1963. All systems go (1962) is from U.S. space program.

system in Medicine

system sys·tem (sĭs'təm)
n.

  1. A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole.

  2. An organism or body considered as a whole, especially with regard to its vital processes or functions.

  3. A group of physiologically or anatomically complementary organs or parts.

system in Culture

system definition


A group of bodily organs that have similar structures or work together to perform some function, such as the digestive system, nervous system, and respiratory system.

Slang definitions & phrases for system

system

Related Terms

old boy network


system in Technology


1. The supervisor program or operating system on a computer.
2. The entire computer system, including input/output devices, the supervisor program or operating system and possibly other software.
3. Any large program.
4. Any method or algorithm.
[Jargon File]

Idioms and Phrases with system

system

see: