system
/ˈsɪstəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪstəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsi-stəm/ (ame, mw)
system — noun
- systemsingular
- systemsplural
1. A group of interrelated parts, pieces, or devices designed to function together
A group of interrelated parts, pieces, or devices designed to function together as a single whole.
The city's transportation system links every neighborhood with buses, trains, and ferries.
collocation: transportation system / heating system / solar system
Eliska learned that the solar system contains eight planets orbiting the sun.
system + of: system of planets
When the school's heating system failed in January, classes were canceled for two days.
The irrigation system in the rice fields uses water from the nearby river.
文法句型
system + of + noun phrase
2. A combination of computer hardware and software that works together to perform t
A combination of computer hardware and software that works together to perform tasks or run applications.
Walid installed a new operating system on his laptop to protect against viruses.
collocation: operating system
The hospital's booking system crashed when hundreds of patients tried to register at once.
Sahil backed up all his files before upgrading the computer system to the latest version.
The navigation system in Lisa's car rerouted her around the traffic jam.
- platform
broader term that includes the environment for running software, not just the hardware-software combination
文法句型
operating system
computer system
noun + system
用法筆記
Common in compound nouns: operating system, booking system, alarm system, payment system. Subject is often an organization or institution that owns the hardware.
3. A group of organs in a living body that work together to perform a vital functio
A group of organs in a living body that work together to perform a vital function, such as breathing, digesting food, or circulating blood.
Padma's biology teacher asked the class to label every part of the human nervous system on a diagram.
collocation: nervous system / immune system / digestive system
Regular exercise strengthens your circulatory system and helps your heart pump blood more efficiently.
Dr. Okonkwo explained how the immune system fights off infections by producing special cells.
Mateo damaged his skeletal system in the accident and needed surgery on his spine.
文法句型
adjective + system
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by an adjective naming the function (nervous, digestive, immune, circulatory, respiratory). The word system alone does not refer to a body part.
常見錯誤
4. The way a person's body functions, especially in relation to digesting food, pro
The way a person's body functions, especially in relation to digesting food, processing substances, and removing waste.
Apinya felt that months of stress had affected her system, so she started doing yoga every morning.
collocation: affect / upset + possessive + system
Eating very spicy food late at night can upset your system and keep you awake.
The doctor told Renata to drink more water to help flush the toxins out of her system.
Christopher's system could not handle the rich food at the banquet, and he felt sick all night.
文法句型
possessive + system
upset + possessive + system
用法筆記
Usually singular and preceded by a possessive (my system, your system, her system). Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 names a specific organ group, while sense 4 refers to general bodily functioning, especially digestion and elimination.
5. A fixed, organized set of rules, methods, or procedures designed to achieve a pa
A fixed, organized set of rules, methods, or procedures designed to achieve a particular goal or run an organization.
The country's legal system is built on laws that protect the basic rights of every citizen.
collocation: legal system / education system / political system
Andrés created a color-coded filing system for all his tax documents and receipts.
Under the current education system, students take national exams at the end of high school.
Théo designed a simple reward system to motivate his younger brother to finish homework on time.
文法句型
adjective + system
system + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Subject is typically a society, organization, or institution. When referring to government or society-wide rules, this sense borders on sense 8, but the focus here is on structure and procedure, not unfairness.
6. A particular set of standardized units used for counting, measuring distance, we
A particular set of standardized units used for counting, measuring distance, weight, or classifying things.
Mira had to convert the recipe from the imperial system to the metric system before baking.
collocation: metric system / imperial system
Most countries use the metric system, which measures distance in meters and weight in kilograms.
Linh's grandfather still prefers the old measuring system for woodworking projects.
Japan uses the metric system for most measurements, but some traditional units are still in use.
- scale
a scale is a simpler sequence of units; a system is a broader framework that may include multiple scales
文法句型
the + adjective + system
用法筆記
Nearly always appears with an adjective (metric, imperial, decimal) or a descriptive modifier. Rarely used alone.
7. The quality of being well-organized and following a deliberate, orderly method r
The quality of being well-organized and following a deliberate, orderly method rather than acting randomly.
Hui admired the system with which the librarian had arranged thousands of books by topic and author.
collocation: with system
There was no system to how Lauren packed her suitcase — she simply threw everything inside.
collocation: no system to
Good project management requires system and discipline, not just creativity and enthusiasm.
Jessica approaches every task with system, listing what she needs to do before she starts.
- chaos
the opposite of deliberate order
文法句型
with + system
without + system
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — you cannot say 'a system' to mean orderliness. Commonly appears in the phrases 'with system', 'no system to', or 'lack of system'. Distinguish from sense 5: sense 5 is a countable specific framework; sense 7 is an uncountable quality.
常見錯誤
8. The established rules, institutions, and authorities in a society, viewed as unf
The established rules, institutions, and authorities in a society, viewed as unfair and resistant to change, often preventing people from improving their situation.
Tanvi believes the system favors wealthy families while ignoring the needs of poor communities.
collocation: the system + favors / ignores
Many young people feel frustrated with a political system that seems to ignore their concerns.
Ziad spent years trying to work within the system to change unfair housing policies from the inside.
Tendai argues that the education system punishes poor students instead of helping them succeed.
- establishment
more formal, refers specifically to the people in power rather than the rules
- the powers that be
informal idiom referring to the people who make decisions without consulting others
文法句型
the system
用法筆記
Often preceded by 'the' and carries a negative or critical tone. Common in phrases like 'fight the system', 'beat the system', 'work within the system', or 'the system is rigged'. Subject is typically people who feel powerless against large institutions.