complex system
/ˈkɒmplɛks ˈsɪstəm/ · com·plex sys·tem
noun
- A system composed of many interacting components whose collective behavior exhibits emergent properties not evident in the individual parts. The climate is a classic complex system, where atmospheric, oceanic, and biological processes intertwine to produce unpredictable weather patterns.
- In engineering or computer science, a network of subsystems whose interdependencies make analysis and control challenging. Designing a reliable power grid requires treating it as a complex system rather than a collection of isolated generators.
Synonyms
interconnected systemintricate systemmultifaceted systemadaptive systemdynamic systemnonlinear systemholistic systemnetworked system
Antonyms
Did you know? The term “complex system” rose to prominence in the 1980s with the founding of the Santa Fe Institute, which brought together physicists, biologists, and economists to study emergent behavior across disciplines.