sys·tem (s?s?t?m)n.1. A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole, especially:a. An organism as a whole, especially with regard to its vital processes or functions: The animal’s entire system seems to be affected by the disease.b. A group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts: the excretory system; a root system.c. A group of interacting mechanical or electrical components: the building’s heating system.d. A network of structures and channels, as for communication, travel, or distribution: a highway system.e. A network of related computer software, hardware, and data transmission devices.2. a. An organized set of interrelated ideas or principles: Kant’s philosophical system.b. A social, economic, or political organizational form: the feudal system.3. a. An arrangement or configuration of classification or measurement: the taxonomic system; the metric system.b. An organized and coordinated method; a procedure: We have an efficient system for processing returned merchandise. See Synonyms at method.4. a. A naturally occurring group of objects or phenomena: a cave system; a weather system.b. Geology A set of rock strata grouped by geologic time period and divided into series.5. Harmonious interaction or order: a restaurant kitchen that was completely without system.6. The prevailing social order; the establishment. Used with the: You can’t beat the system.[Late Latin syst?ma, syst?mat-, from Greek sust?ma, from sunistanai, to combine : sun-, syn- + histanai, set up, establish; see st?- in Indo-European roots.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.system (?s?st?m) n1. 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 distribution4. a method or complex of methods: he has a perfect system at roulette. 5. orderliness; an ordered manner6. (Sociology) the system (often capital) society seen as an environment exploiting, restricting, and repressing individuals7. (Physiology) an organism considered as a functioning entity8. (Physiology) 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. (Electronics) any assembly of electronic, electrical, or mechanical components with interdependent functions, usually forming a self-contained unit: a brake system. 11. (Astronomy) a group of celestial bodies that are associated as a result of natural laws, esp gravitational attraction: the solar system. 12. (Chemistry) chem a sample of matter in which there are one or more substances in one or more phases. See also phase rule13. a point of view or doctrine used to interpret a branch of knowledge14. (Minerals) 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. (Geological Science) geology a stratigraphical unit for the rock strata formed during a period of geological time. It can be subdivided into series[C17: from French système, from Late Latin syst?ma, from Greek sust?ma, from syn- + histanai to cause to stand] ?systemless adjCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014sys?tem (?s?s t?m) n. 1. an assemblage or combination of things or parts forming a complex or unitary whole. 2. any assemblage or set of correlated members. 3. an ordered and comprehensive assemblage of facts, principles, doctrines, or the like in a particular field. 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. 6. a. an assemblage of organs or related tissues concerned with the same function: the digestive system. b. the entire human or animal body considered as a functioning unit: an ingredient toxic to the system. 7. a. a number of heavenly bodies associated and acting together according to certain natural laws, as the solar system. b. a hypothesis or theory of the characteristics of heavenly bodies by which their phenomena, motions, changes, etc., are explained: the Copernican system. 8. one’s psychological makeup, esp. with reference to desires or preoccupations: to get something out of one’s system. 9. a method or scheme of classification: the Linnaean system. 10. (sometimes cap.) the prevailing structure or organization of society, business, or politics or of society in general; establishment (usu. prec. by the): to work within the system. 11. a major division of rocks comprising sedimentary deposits and igneous masses formed during a single geologic period. 12. Physical Chem. a combination of two or more phases, each of which consists of one or more substances, that is attaining or is in equilibrium. 13. a working combination of computer hardware, software, and data communications devices. [1610?20;