Microkernel

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A minimal operating system kernel offering basic mechanisms rather than abstract services.

    "In the 1980s, microkernel systems emerged. Microkernel systems were similar to security kernels in that they aimed for minimal functionality in the kernel, but microkernel systems focused on providing system abstractions for building complete systems more easily and more efficiently, rather than more securely."

Example

More examples

"In the 1980s, microkernel systems emerged. Microkernel systems were similar to security kernels in that they aimed for minimal functionality in the kernel, but microkernel systems focused on providing system abstractions for building complete systems more easily and more efficiently, rather than more securely."

Etymology

From micro- + kernel.

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.