The operating system of a computer is its most basic program, which it needs in order to function and run other programs.
[computing]
operating system in British English
noun
the set of software that controls the overall operation of a computer system, typically by performing such tasks as memory allocation, job scheduling, and input/output control
operating system in American English
the software that controls the basic operation of a computer or computer network
Examples of 'operating system' in a sentence
operating system
She went to the network bench, where the operating system - which she had helped tweak - was controlled.
Dale Brown and Jim DeFelice DALE BROWN'S DREAMLAND (5) STRIKE ZONE (2004)
In other languages
operating system
British English: operating system NOUN
The operating system of a computer is its most basic program, which it needs in order to function and run other programs.