线性系统是一数学模型，是指用线性运算子组成的系统。相较于非线性系统，线性系统的特性比较简单。例如以下的系统即为一线性系统：

由于线性系统较容易处理，许多时候会将系统理想化或简化为线性系统。线性系统常应用在自动控制理论、信号处理及电信上。像无线通信信号在介质中的传播就可以用线性系统来仿真。

线性系统需满足线性的特性，若线性系统还满足非时变性（即系统的输入信号若延迟τ秒，那么得到的输出除了这τ秒延时以外是完全相同的），则称为线性时不变系统。

A linear system is a mathematical model of a system based on the use of a linear operator. Linear systems typically exhibit features and properties that are much simpler than the nonlinear case. As a mathematical abstraction or idealization, linear systems find important applications in automatic control theory, signal processing, and telecommunications. For example, the propagation medium for wireless communication systems can often be modeled by linear systems.