system
noun
/ˈsɪstəm/
1 countable an organized set of ideas or theories or a particular way of doing something reform of the country's education system
the criminal justice system
the healthcare system
the legal/financial/political system
system for doing something
Systems are in place for dealing with complaints.
system of something
a system of government
Collocations
adjective
verb + system
system + verb
be based on something
rest on something…
preposition
in a/the syste
munder a/the system
system for…
2 countable a group of things, pieces of equipment, etc. that are connected or work together They installed a security system but it failed.
How does the system work?
Collocations
adjective
verb + system
boot up
system + verb
system + noun
preposition
in a/the system
3 countable a set of computer equipment and programs that are used together to develop a new computer system
We're designing a voice-recognition system.
computerized information systems
4 countable a human or an animal body, or a part of it, when it is being thought of as the organs and processes that make it function Wait until the drugs have passed through your system.
the male reproductive system
Returning to work after a long break can be a terrible shock to the system (= a big change that is difficult to deal with).
5 the system singular (informal, usually disapproving) the rules or people that control a country or an organization, especially when they seem to be unfair because you cannot change them You can't beat the system (= you must accept it).
You have to learn how to work the system if you want to succeed.
young people rebelling against the system
Idioms
The firm struggled to generate much business at the start, but now it's all systems go.
(informal) used to say that everything is working well or that everything is ready for something to happen or be successful
Last weekend's heavy snowfall means it's all systems go for the ski season.
(informal) to do something so that you no longer feel a very strong emotion or have a strong desire
I was very angry with him, but now I feel I've got it out of my system.
Word Origin
e.g.