application

American  

[ap-li-kay-shuhn] / ˌæp lɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

• applications
  plural

1. the act of putting to a special use or purpose.

   the application of common sense to a problem.

   Synonyms:

   utilization

2. the special use or purpose to which something is put.

   a technology having numerous applications never thought of by its inventors.

3. the quality of being usable for a particular purpose or in a special way; relevance.

   This has no application to the case.

   Synonyms:

   pertinence, aptitude

4. the act of requesting.

   Her application for assistance was, surprisingly, received favorably by the members of the assembly.

   Synonyms:

   petition, suit, soliciting, solicitation

5. a formal or written request for employment, admission, funding, authorization, etc.: His first job application led to an interview.

   She submitted applications to three universities.

   His first job application led to an interview.

6. Also called application form. a form to be filled out by an applicant, as for a job or a driver's license.

   Attach a passport photo to your completed application.

7. close attention; persistent effort.

   Application to one's studies is necessary.

   Synonyms:

   perseverance, persistence, industry, diligence, assiduity

8. an act or instance of spreading on, rubbing in, or bringing into contact: a second application of varnish.

   the application of a compress to a wound;

   a second application of varnish.

9. a salve, ointment, or the like, applied as a soothing or healing agent.

10. Computers. a computer program, such as a word processor, graphics editor, utility, etc., used for a particular type of job or problem.

    The new version 4.0 of their music production application contains several improvements.

    Antiviral and firewall applications are system utilities that protect your computer.

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application British  

/ ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of applying to a particular purpose or use

2. relevance or value

   the practical applications of space technology

3. the act of asking for something

   an application for leave

4. a verbal or written request, as for a job, etc

   he filed his application

5. diligent effort or concentration

   a job requiring application

6. something, such as a healing agent or lotion, that is applied, esp to the skin

7. logic maths the process of determining the value of a function for a given argument

8. short for application program applications package

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application Scientific  

/ ăp′lĭ-kā′shən /

1. A computer program with an interface, enabling people to use the computer as a tool to accomplish a specific task. Word processing, spreadsheet, and communications software are all examples of applications.

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Synonym Usage

See effort.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interapplication
  noun
• nonapplication
  noun
• overapplication
  noun
• preapplication
  noun
• reapplication
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• applications
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of application

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French applicacio(u)n, from Latin applicātiōn- (stem of applicātiō ), equivalent to applicāt(us) “applied” (past participle of the verb applicāre apply ) + -iōn- -ion

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Explanation

An application is a request for a job, assistance or admission to a school. Colleges might want you to submit your application by Dec. 1, but they won't let you know if you've been accepted until sometime in April. An application is also a form you fill out for something. If you need a handicapped parking permit, you and your doctor must first fill out an application and then submit it in the town hall. An application is also a computer program designed to perform a task or solve a problem. If you didn't get enough sleep last night, the careful application of makeup can mask the dark circles under your eyes.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

application applications

An application for legal residency must happen first.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Welsh parents are currently thinking about the next steps for their children, with application deadlines for secondary school places at the end of this month.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

One potential application involves speech prosthetics, technologies designed to help people communicate when injuries or neurological conditions have impaired their ability to speak.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

As with age-related merchandise at the drugstore, the stories are available to anyone, but they will have special application for those who have reached what the excessively tactful used to call “a certain age.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

The man pulled out a piece of paper, an application, from a buttoned shirt pocket and handed it to C.P., who retrieved a pencil from the office and filled out the form.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

These findings suggest that DT-109 could eventually have applications in treating both liver and cardiovascular conditions, an important possibility because metabolic disorders often affect multiple organs.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

Microsoft sells applications and cloud services, giving it opportunities to design infrastructure around work its customers already perform.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Galtier plans to return to climate-tech applications once Entalpic’s technology has been proven.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

It's hoped what is learned in this project could have wider applications across Northern Ireland.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

And I figured, even if I didn’t get good enough for a scholarship, it would still make me stand out on my applications.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

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