interface
/ˈɪntəfeɪs
/noun
1A point where two systems, subjects, organizations, etc. meet and interact: the interface between accountancy and the law...
- Significant potential for new intervention strategies lies at the interface between these systems.
- The key account manager acts as the primary interface between the supplier organization and the customer.
- Yet the distinction is not always clear, as the interface between individual and organizational workplace issues is often significant and complex.
1.1chiefly Physics A surface forming a common boundary between two portions of matter or space, for example between two immiscible liquids: the surface tension of a liquid at its air/liquid interface...
- To get this weak force to effectively push a liquid surface, the team produced a liquid interface with low surface tension.
- The setup is currently upgraded by the simultaneous measurement of the surface tension of the interface.
- The effect of other properties of the interfaces (polarity, surface charge density) remains to be precisely determined.
2 Computing A device or program enabling a user to communicate with a computer: a graphical user interface...
- They use a natural interface which enables users to highlight, scribble notes, bookmark and annotate.
- Using these interfaces enables numerous Windows programs to view mainframe data directly.
- The interaction between the computer interface and the user is far from perfect even for people who are computer literate.
2.1A device or program for connecting two items of hardware or software so that they can be operated jointly or communicate with each other: an application program interface...
- The gateway holds the hardware interfaces and software protocol stacks to get all the various technologies talking nicely to one another.
- Its standardized platform hardware interface allows the software and drivers to work across various platforms.
- A laptop with recording software and a USB interface can serve as a totally portable recording studio.
verb [no object] (interface with)
1Interact with (another system, person, etc.): you will interface with counterparts from sister companies...
- All systems will have to be automated, and operating and control systems will have to be able to interface with medical systems.
- Sadly an older model couldn't interface with the phone system, leaving her stuck with this.
- The other units, already notified and instructed by the node, began to interface with the weapons systems and set up a force in the docking bay.
2 Computing Connect with (another computer or piece of equipment) by an interface: the hotel’s computer system can interface automatically with the booking system [with object]: a device which can be interfaced with a computer...
- One of Linux's greatest assets is its ability to add value to legacy technology investments by connecting and interfacing with old equipment or software.
- Ideally, it would interface with your computer desktop.
- The sound and video tracks are run on a DVD player, modified to interface with the computer.