(biology) The system that determines the sex of humans, most other mammals, some insects (Drosophila), and some plants (Ginkgo), in which females have two of the same kind of sex cell (XX) and males have two distinct sex cells (XY).

(biology) The system that determines the sex of offspring among grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches, and some other insects, in which females have two sex cells (XX) and males have only one sex cell (X0, or simply X; the 0 signifies the lack of another X).

plural of system tray

(biology) A system for characterizing the sex of animals, such as butterflies and Komodo dragons, in which males have two of the same kind of sex cell (ZZ) and females have two distinct sex cells (ZW).

(computing, graphical user interface) The portion of the taskbar that displays the system time and icons for running processes, which can often launch menus for those processes.

The system of buying and selling things via hire purchase.

(UK, historical) The practice, abolished in 1871, of paying money to be made an officer in the cavalry and infantry regiments of the English and later British Army, without having to wait for promotion.

(biology) A group of organs that work together as a biological system to perform one or more functions.

(rail transport, historical) A block system in use on single-line railways, in which the stationmaster gives the driver a staff authorizing the driver to proceed over a given portion of track.

Synonym of star system