system

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsɪstəm/

noun

  • 1a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network; a complex whole: the state railway system fluid is pushed through a system of pipes or channels
  • Physiology a set of organs in the body with a common structure or function: the digestive system
  • the human or animal body as a whole: you need to get the cholesterol out of your system
  • Computing a group of related hardware units or programs or both, especially when dedicated to a single application.
  • Geology (in chronostratigraphy) a major range of strata that corresponds to a period in time, subdivided into series: the Devonian system
  • Astronomy a group of celestial objects connected by their mutual attractive forces, especially moving in orbits about a centre: the system of bright stars known as the Gould Belt
  • short for crystal system
  • 2a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method: a multiparty system of government the public-school system
  • a set of rules used in measurement or classification: the metric system
  • [mass noun] organized planning or behaviour; orderliness: there was no system at all in the company
  • a method of choosing one’s procedure in gambling.
  • 3 (the system) the prevailing political or social order, especially when regarded as oppressive and intransigent: don’t try bucking the system
  • 4 Music a set of staves in a musical score joined by a brace.

Phrases

get something out of one's system

informal get rid of a preoccupation or anxiety: yelling is an ace way of getting stress out of your system

Derivatives

systemless

adjective

Origin:

early 17th century: from French système or late Latin systema, from Greek sustēma, from sun- 'with' + histanai 'set up'