interface

[ noun in-ter-feys; verb in-ter-feys, in-ter-feys ]
See synonyms for: interfaceinterfacedinterfacing on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases.

  2. the facts, problems, considerations, theories, practices, etc., shared by two or more disciplines, procedures, or fields of study: the interface between chemistry and physics.

  1. a common boundary or interconnection between systems, equipment, concepts, or human beings.

  2. communication or interaction: Interface between the parent company and its subsidiaries has never been better.

  3. a thing or circumstance that enables separate and sometimes incompatible elements to coordinate effectively: The organization serves as an interface between the state government and the public.

  4. computer hardware or software designed to communicate information between hardware devices, between software programs, between devices and programs, or between a device and a user.

verb (used with object),in·ter·faced, in·ter·fac·ing.
  1. to bring into an interface.

  2. to bring together; connect or mesh: The management is interfacing several departments with an information service from overseas.

verb (used without object),in·ter·faced, in·ter·fac·ing.
  1. to be in an interface.

  2. to function as an interface.

  1. to meet or communicate directly; interact, coordinate, synchronize, or harmonize (often followed by with): The two communications systems are able to interface with each other.

Origin of interface

1
First recorded in 1880–85; inter- + face

Words Nearby interface

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use interface in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for interface

interface

noun(ˈɪntəˌfeɪs)
  1. chem a surface that forms the boundary between two bodies, liquids, or chemical phases

  2. a common point or boundary between two things, subjects, etc

  1. an electrical circuit linking one device, esp a computer, with another

verb(ˌɪntəˈfeɪs)
  1. (tr) to design or adapt the input and output configurations of (two electronic devices) so that they may work together compatibly

  2. to be or become an interface (with)

  1. to be or become interactive (with)

Derived forms of interface

  • interfacial (ˌɪntəˈfeɪʃəl), adjective
  • interfacially, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for interface

interface

[ ĭntər-fās′ ]


  1. The point of interaction or communication between a computer and any other entity, such as a printer or human operator.

  2. The layout of an application's graphic or textual controls in conjunction with the way the application responds to user activity. See more at GUI.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.