What does "operating system" mean?

Software that is designed for controlling the allocation and the use of various hardware resources to tasks and remote terminals.

How do you pronounce "operating system"?

Pronounced //ˈɒpəˌɹeɪtɪŋ ˌsɪstəm//.

Common synonyms include: active, computer os, device software, franchise, functioning, laptop system.

/ˈɒpəˌɹeɪtɪŋ ˌsɪstəm/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
Software that is designed for controlling the allocation and the use of various hardware resources to tasks and remote terminals.
"The operating system is the key mediator of access by processes within a computer system."
2
(computer science) software that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide various services wordnet

"The operating system is the key mediator of access by processes within a computer system."

From operating + system. First use appears c. the 1950s.