system

/ˈsɪsɾəm/

/ˈsɪstəm/

Other forms: systems

A system is a group of things that connect and form some kind of coherent whole. All the individual buses and the separate routes they take through your city are together called a bus system.

Any time various separate things act together in some organized way, you can call the entire group of interconnected things a system. Your veins, arteries, and heart together make up your body's circulatory system, and the group of planets which rotate around the sun are called a solar system. The Greek word systema, or "organized whole," is where system originates.

Definitions of system

noun
a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole

“a vast system of production and distribution and consumption keep the country going”

synonyms: scheme

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types:
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language system
a system of linguistic units or elements used in a particular language

judicatory, judicature, judicial system, judiciary
the system of law courts that administer justice and constitute the judicial branch of government

economic system, economy
the system of production and distribution and consumption

ecosystem
a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment

social organisation, social organization, social structure, social system, structure
the people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships

dragnet
a system of coordinated measures for apprehending (criminals or other individuals)

machinery
a system of means and activities whereby a social institution functions

network, web
an interconnected system of things or people

nonlinear system
a system whose performance cannot be described by equations of the first degree

subsystem
a system that is part of some larger system

organism
a system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body

syntax
a systematic orderly arrangement

body
a collection of particulars considered as a system

shebang
an entire system; used in the phrase `the whole shebang'

solar system
the sun with the celestial bodies that revolve around it in its gravitational field

water system
a river and all of its tributaries

root system, rootage
a developed system of roots

monolith
a system or organized structure that is large, uniform, and powerful

media
systems of mass communications (including publishing, broadcast news, and the internet) considered collectively

reticulum
any fine network (especially one in the body composed of cells or blood vessels)

accentual system, prosodic system
the system of accentuation used in a particular language

morphophonemic system
the morphophonemics of a particular language

phonemic system
the system of phonemes recognized in a language

phonologic system, phonological system
the system of phones used in a particular language

syllabicity
the pattern of syllable formation in a particular language

tense system
a system of tenses used in a particular language

feudal system, feudalism
the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th century; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war

patriarchate, patriarchy
a form of social organization in which a male is the family head and title is traced through the male line

matriarchate, matriarchy
a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line

meritocracy
a form of social system in which power goes to those with superior intellects

Federal Judiciary
the judiciary of the United States which is responsible for interpreting and enforcing federal laws

industrialism
an economic system built on large industries rather than on agriculture or craftsmanship

free enterprise, free market, laissez-faire economy, market economy, private enterprise
an economy that relies chiefly on market forces to allocate goods and resources and to determine prices

mixed economy
an economic system that combines private and state enterprises

non-market economy
an economy that is not a market economy

state capitalism
an economic system that is primarily capitalistic but there is some degree of government ownership of the means of production

state socialism
an economic system in which the government owns most means of production but some degree of private capitalism is allowed

pluralism
a social organization in which diversity of racial or religious or ethnic or cultural groups is tolerated

class structure
the organization of classes within a society

segregation, separatism
a social system that provides separate facilities for minority groups

espionage network
a network of spies

old boy network
an exclusive informal network linking members of a social class or profession or organization in order to provide connections and information and favors (especially in business or politics)

support system
a network of facilities and people who interact and remain in informal communication for mutual assistance; a network that enables you to live in a certain style

pastoralism
a social and economic system based on raising and herding livestock

type of:
group, grouping
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
noun
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

“he bought a new stereo system”

“the system consists of a motor and a small computer”

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audio system, sound system
a system of electronic equipment for recording or reproducing sound

communication system
a system for communicating

ADP system, ADPS, automatic data processing system, computer system, computing system
a system of one or more computers and associated software with common storage

containment
(physics) a system designed to prevent the accidental release of radioactive material from a reactor

control system
a system for controlling the operation of another system

data system, information system
system consisting of the network of all communication channels used within an organization

drainage system
a system of watercourses or drains for carrying off excess water

exhaust, exhaust system
system consisting of the parts of an engine through which burned gases or steam are discharged

EDS, explosive detection system
a rapid automatic system to detect plastic explosives in passengers' luggage using X-ray technology and computers; designed for use in airports

ETD, explosive trace detection
a system for screening luggage in airports; an agent passes a swab around or inside luggage and then runs the swab through a machine that can detect trace amounts of explosives

guidance device, guidance system
a system of equipment for automatically guiding the path of a vehicle (especially a missile)

assemblage, hookup
a system of components assembled together for a particular purpose

inertial guidance system, inertial navigation system
a system to control a plane or spacecraft; uses inertial forces

lockage
a system of locks in a canal or waterway

labyrinth, maze, warren
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

mechanical system
a system of elements that interact on mechanical principles

navigational system
a system that provides information useful in determining the position and course of a ship or aircraft

electronic network, network
(electronics) a system of interconnected electronic components or circuits

network
a system of intersecting lines or channels

propulsion system
a system that provides a propelling or driving force

resonator
any system that resonates

scaffolding, staging
a system of scaffolds

security system
(computing) a system that enforces boundaries between computer networks

selsyn, synchro
a system consisting of a generator and a motor so connected that the motor will assume the same relative position as the generator; the generator and the motor are synchronized

shipboard system
a system designed to work as a coherent entity on board a naval ship

solar thermal system
a system that converts sunlight into heat

sprinkler system
a system for extinguishing fires; water from a network of overhead pipes is released through nozzles that open automatically with the rise in temperature

synchromesh
an automotive system for shifting gears in which the gears revolve at the same speed and so shift smoothly

anti-submarine rocket
a shipboard system to fire rockets at submarines

backup system
a computer system for making backups

basic point defense missile system
a shipboard missile system

closed loop, closed-loop system
a control system with a feedback loop that is active

computer network
(computer science) a network of computers

early warning system
a network of radar installations designed to detect enemy missiles or aircraft while there is still time to intercept them

firewall
(computing) a security system consisting of a combination of hardware and software that limits the exposure of a computer or computer network to attack from crackers; commonly used on local area networks that are connected to the internet

fuel injection, fuel injection system
mechanical system to inject atomized fuel directly into the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine; avoids the need for a carburetor

GPS, Global Positioning System
a navigational system involving satellites and computers that can determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by computing the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver

ground control
a communication system for sending continuous radio messages to an airplane pilot who is making a ground-controlled approach to landing

intercom, intercommunication system
a communication system linking different rooms within a building or ship etc

JDAM, Joint Direct Attack Munition
a pinpoint bomb guidance device that can be strapped to a gravity bomb thus converting dumb bombs into smart bombs

linkage
a mechanical system of rods or springs or pivots that transmits power or motion

force feed, force-feed lubricating system, lubricating system, pressure feed, pressure-feed lubricating system
mechanical system of lubricating internal combustion engines in which a pump forces oil into the engine bearings

naval tactical data system
a shipboard system for collecting and displaying tactical data

omnidirectional radio range, omnidirectional range, omnirange
a navigational system consisting of a network of radio beacons that provide aircraft with information about exact position and bearing

platform
the combination of a particular computer and a particular operating system

assembly line, line, production line
mechanical system in a factory whereby an article is conveyed through sites at which successive operations are performed on it

P.A., P.A. system, PA, PA system, public address system
an electronic amplification system used as a communication system in public areas

radio, wireless
a communication system based on broadcasting electromagnetic waves

link, radio link
a two-way radio communication system (usually microwave); part of a more extensive telecommunication network

recording system
audio system for recoding sound

reproducer
an audio system that can reproduce and amplify signals to produce sound

reseau
a network of fine lines used by astronomers as a reference for measurements on star photographs

crosshairs, graticule, reticle, reticule
a network of fine lines, dots, cross hairs, or wires in the focal plane of the eyepiece of an optical instrument

reticulation
an arrangement resembling a net or network

servo, servomechanism, servosystem
control system that converts a small mechanical motion into one requiring much greater power; may include a negative feedback system

ship-towed long-range acoustic detection system
a shipboard system consisting of an acoustic detection system that is towed behind the ship

information superhighway, superhighway
an extensive electronic network (such as the internet) used for the rapid transfer of sound and video and graphics in digital form

surface-to-air missile system
the shipboard system that fires missiles at aircraft

suspension, suspension system
a mechanical system of springs or shock absorbers connecting the wheels and axles to the chassis of a wheeled vehicle

target acquisition system
a shipboard system for the detection and identification and location of a target with enough detail to permit effective weapon employment

telecom equipment, telecom system, telecommunication equipment, telecommunication system
a communication system for communicating at a distance

phone system, telephone system
a communication system that transmits sound between distant points

ventilating system, ventilation, ventilation system
a mechanical system in a building that provides fresh air

type of:
instrumentality, instrumentation
an artifact (or system of artifacts) that is instrumental in accomplishing some end
noun
the living body considered as made up of interdependent components forming a unified whole

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type of:
live body
the body of a living animal or person
noun
a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts

“the body has a system of organs for digestion”

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articulatory system
the system of joints in the body

digestive system, gastrointestinal system, systema alimentarium, systema digestorium
the system that makes food absorbable into the body

endocrine system
the system of glands that produce endocrine secretions that help to control bodily metabolic activity

venation, venous blood system
(zoology) the system of venous blood vessels in an animal

immune system
a system (including the thymus and bone marrow and lymphoid tissues) that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms by producing the immune response

integumentary system
the skin and its appendages

RES, reticuloendothelial system
a widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells

MPS, mononuclear phagocyte system, system of macrophages
a widely distributed system of free and fixed macrophages derived from bone marrow

muscle system, muscular structure, musculature
the muscular system of an organism

musculoskeletal system
the system of muscles and tendons and ligaments and bones and joints and associated tissues that move the body and maintain its form

nervous system, systema nervosum
the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells

CNS, central nervous system, systema nervosum centrale
the portion of the vertebrate nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system, systema nervosum periphericum
the section of the nervous system lying outside the brain and spinal cord

genital system, reproductive system
organs and tissues involved in the production and maturation of gametes and in their union and subsequent development as offspring

apparatus urogenitalis, genitourinary apparatus, genitourinary system, systema urogenitale, urinary apparatus, urinary system, urogenital apparatus, urogenital system
the system that includes all organs involved in reproduction and in the formation and voidance of urine

respiratory system, systema respiratorium
the system for taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide; in terrestrial animals this is accomplished by breathing

sensory system
the body's system of sense organs

tract
a system of body parts that together serve some particular purpose

vascular system
the vessels and tissue that carry or circulate fluids such as blood or lymph or sap through the body of an animal or plant

frame, skeletal system, skeleton, systema skeletale
the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal

water vascular system
system of fluid-filled tubes used by echinoderms in locomotion and feeding and respiration

auditory system
the sensory system for hearing

visual system
the sensory system for vision

diaphragm, midriff
(anatomy) a muscular partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities; functions in respiration

vestibular apparatus, vestibular system
organs mediating the labyrinthine sense; concerned with equilibrium

portal system
system of veins that carry blood from the abdominal organs to the liver

lymphatic system, systema lymphaticum
the interconnected system of spaces and vessels between body tissues and organs by which lymph circulates throughout the body

sympathetic nervous system
originates in the thoracic regions of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the parasympathetic: reduces digestive secretions; speeds the heart; contracts blood vessels

parasympathetic, parasympathetic nervous system
originates in the brain stem and lower part of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system: stimulates digestive secretions; slows the heart; constricts the pupils; dilates blood vessels

airway, respiratory tract
the passages through which air enters and leaves the body

urinary tract
the organs and tubes involved in the production and excretion of urine

cardiovascular system, circulatory system
the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body

female reproductive system
the reproductive system of females

male reproductive system
the reproductive system of males

esophagus, gorge, gullet, oesophagus
the passage between the pharynx and the stomach

endoskeleton
the internal skeleton; bony and cartilaginous structure (especially of vertebrates)

exoskeleton
the exterior protective or supporting structure or shell of many animals (especially invertebrates) including bony or horny parts such as nails or scales or hoofs

type of:
body part
any part of an organism such as an organ or extremity
noun
(physical chemistry) a sample of matter in which substances in different phases are in equilibrium

“in a static system oil cannot be replaced by water on a surface”

“a system generating hydrogen peroxide”

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type of:
matter
that which has mass and occupies space
noun
an ordered manner; orderliness by virtue of being methodical and well organized

“we can't do it unless we establish some system around here”

synonyms: organisation, organization

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type of:
methodicalness, orderliness
the quality of appreciating method and system
noun
a complex of methods or rules governing behavior

“they have to operate under a system they oppose”

“that language has a complex system for indicating gender”

synonyms: system of rules

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types:
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accounting
a system that provides quantitative information about finances

discipline
a system of rules of conduct or method of practice

frame, frame of reference
a system of assumptions and standards that sanction behavior and give it meaning

gambling system
a system of rules for placing bets that is believed to lead to winning

government
(government) the system or form by which a community or other political unit is governed

honor system
a system of conduct in which participants are trusted not to take unfair advantage of others

logic, logical system, system of logic
a system of reasoning

merit system
the system of employing and promoting civil servants on the basis of ability

point system
a system of evaluation based on awarding points according to rules

spoils system
the system of employing and promoting civil servants who are friends and supporters of the group in power

organon
a system of principles for philosophic or scientific investigations; an instrument for acquiring knowledge

program, programme
a system of projects or services intended to meet a public need

theosophy
a system of belief based on mystical insight into the nature of God and the soul

anthroposophy
a system of beliefs and practices based on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner; it claims to integrate the practical and psychological in child-centered education

logic
the system of operations performed by a computer that underlies the machine's representation of logical operations

theological system, theology
a particular system or school of religious beliefs and teachings

ethic, ethical code
a system of principles governing morality and acceptable conduct

vocabulary
the system of techniques or symbols serving as a means of expression (as in arts or crafts)

Aristotelian logic
the syllogistic logic of Aristotle as developed by Boethius in the Middle Ages

defence policy, defence program, defense policy, defense program
a program for defending a country against its enemies

educational program
a program for providing education

rehabilitation program
a program for restoring someone to good health

space program
a technological program intended to explore outer space

Superfund, Superfund program
the federal government's program to locate and investigate and clean up the worst uncontrolled and abandoned toxic waste sites nationwide; administered by the Environmental Protection Agency

tax policy, tax program
a program for setting taxes

works program
a program to provide jobs on public works paid for by government funds

Cabala, Cabbala, Cabbalah, Kabala, Kabbala, Kabbalah, Qabbala, Qabbalah
an esoteric theosophy of rabbinical origin based on the Hebrew scriptures and developed between the 7th and 18th centuries

formal logic, mathematical logic, symbolic logic
any logical system that abstracts the form of statements away from their content in order to establish abstract criteria of consistency and validity

Christian theology
the teachings of Christian churches

liberation theology
a form of Christian theology (developed by South American Roman Catholics) that emphasizes social and political liberation as the anticipation of ultimate salvation

natural theology
a theology that holds that knowledge of God can be acquired by human reason without the aid of divine revelation

double standard
an ethical or moral code that applies more strictly to one group than to another

balance of international payments, balance of payments
a system of recording all of a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world over a period of one year

current account
that part of the balance of payments recording a nation's exports and imports of goods and services and transfer payments

entitlement
a government program that provides benefits to an eligible group

type of:
method
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
noun
an organized structure for arranging or classifying

“he tried to understand their system of classification”

synonyms: arrangement, organisation, organization

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classification system
a system for classifying things

contrivance
an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.

coordinate system, frame of reference, reference frame, reference system
a system that uses coordinates to establish position

data structure
(computer science) the organization of data (and its storage allocations in a computer)

design, plan
an arrangement scheme

distribution, statistical distribution
(statistics) an arrangement of values of a variable showing their observed or theoretical frequency of occurrence

genetic map
graphical representation of the arrangement of genes on a chromosome

kinship system
(anthropology) the system of social relationships that constitute kinship in a particular culture, including the terminology that is used and the reciprocal obligations that are entailed

lattice
an arrangement of points or particles or objects in a regular periodic pattern in 2 or 3 dimensions

living arrangement
an arrangement to allow people (or ideas) to coexist

ontology
(computer science) a rigorous and exhaustive organization of some knowledge domain that is usually hierarchical and contains all the relevant entities and their relations

calendar
a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year

Dewey decimal classification, Dewey decimal system, decimal system of classification
a system used by libraries to classify nonfictional publications into subject categories; the subject is indicated by a three-digit numeral and further specification is given by numerals following a decimal point; publications are shelved by number

Cartesian coordinate system
a coordinate system for which the coordinates of a point are its distances from a set perpendicular lines that intersect at the origin of the system

equidistribution
a flat distribution having equal frequencies of occurrence

configuration, constellation
an arrangement of parts or elements

Bravais lattice, crystal lattice, space lattice
a 3-dimensional geometric arrangement of the atoms or molecules or ions composing a crystal

hierarchical data structure, hierarchical structure
a structure of data having several levels arranged in a treelike structure

hierarchical classification system
a classification system where entries are arranged based on some hierarchical structure

file system, filing system
a system of classifying into files (usually arranged alphabetically)

grouping, pigeonholing
a system for classifying things into groups

rating system, scoring system
a system of classifying according to quality or merit or amount

ABO blood group system, ABO group, ABO system
a classification system for the antigens of human blood; used in blood transfusion therapy; four groups are A and B and AB and O

layout
a plan or design of something that is laid out

snare, trap
something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares

inertial frame, inertial reference frame
a coordinate system in which Newton's first law of motion is valid

space-time, space-time continuum
the four-dimensional coordinate system (3 dimensions of space and 1 of time) in which physical events are located

frequency distribution
a distribution of observed frequencies of occurrence of the values of a variable

Gaussian distribution, normal distribution
a theoretical distribution with finite mean and variance

Poisson distribution
a theoretical distribution that is a good approximation to the binomial distribution when the probability is small and the number of trials is large

sample, sample distribution, sampling
items selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population

Bernoulli distribution, binomial distribution
a theoretical distribution of the number of successes in a finite set of independent trials with a constant probability of success

hotel plan, meal plan
a plan and a room rate for providing a room and meals to guests at a hotel

lunar calendar
a calendar based on lunar cycles

lunisolar calendar
a calendar based on both lunar and solar cycles

solar calendar
a calendar based on solar cycles

type of:
structure
the complex composition of knowledge as elements and their combinations
noun
a procedure or process for obtaining an objective

“they had to devise a system that did not depend on cooperation”

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credit system
a system for allowing people to purchase things on credit

legal system
a system for interpreting and enforcing the laws

pricing system
a system for setting prices on goods or services

promotion system
a system for advancing participants to higher-status positions

bail
the legal system that allows an accused person to be temporarily released from custody (usually on condition that a sum of money guarantees their appearance at trial)

jury system
a legal system for determining the facts at issue in a law suit

patent system
a legal system for protecting the rights of inventors

tax system
a legal system for assessing and collecting taxes

electoral system, voting system
a legal system for making democratic choices

type of:
plan of action
a plan for actively doing something

Pronunciation

/ˈsɪsɾəm/

/ˈsɪstəm/

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/ˈsɪstəm/

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