open-source operating system

noun
UK /ˌəʊpən sɔːs ˈɒpəreɪtɪŋ ˈsɪstəm/
US /ˌoʊpən sɔːrs ˈɑːpəreɪtɪŋ ˈsɪstəm/

A computer program that runs the whole computer and whose code anyone can look at, change, and share for free.

My dad installed an open-source operating system on our old laptop so we could try it without paying.

SYNONYMS

free software OScommunity-built OSpublic-source OSopen-code OS

RELATED WORDS

Linuxsource codesoftware licensekerneldistribution

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A system software platform whose source code is publicly available for anyone to study or modify.

Developers around the world contribute to this open-source operating system.

3. An operating system that is free to use and can be customized by its users.

Schools often choose an open-source operating system to save money on licenses.

4. A collaborative software project where the operating system's code is shared openly rather than kept secret.

The open-source operating system grew quickly because thousands of people helped fix bugs.