program

American  

[proh-gram, -gruhm] / ˈproʊ græm, -grəm /

especially British, programme

noun

1. a plan of action to accomplish a specified end.

   a school lunch program.

2. a plan or schedule of activities, procedures, etc., to be followed.

3. a broadcasted television or radio production or similar internet-based content produced for distribution.

4. Also called computer program.  Digital Technology. a precise sequence of instructions enabling a computer to perform a task; a piece of software.

5. a collection of principles, actions, objectives, etc., established with a long-term goal in mind; platform; policy.

   A review of our education initiatives and programs suggests we are meeting our goals.

6. a list of items, pieces, performers, etc., in a musical, theatrical, or other entertainment.

7. an entertainment with reference to its pieces or numbers.

   a program of American and French music.

8. a planned, coordinated group of activities, procedures, etc., often for a specific purpose, or a facility offering such a series of activities.

   a drug rehabilitation program;

   a graduate program in linguistics.

9. a prospectus or syllabus.

   a program of courses being offered.

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verb (used with object)

programmed, programed, programming, programing

1. to schedule as part of a program.

2. Digital Technology. to write code for (a computer program or application).

3. to insert or encode specific operating instructions into (a machine or apparatus).

   We'll program the bells to ring at ten-minute intervals.

4. to insert (instructions) into a machine or apparatus.

   An automatic release has been programmed into the lock as a safety feature.

5. to cause to absorb or incorporate automatic responses, attitudes, or the like; condition.

   Our parents programmed us to respect our elders.

6. to set, regulate, or modify so as to produce a specific response or reaction.

   Program your eating habits to eliminate sweets.

verb (used without object)

programmed, programed, programming, programing

1. to plan or write a program.

2. Digital Technology. to write computer code.

program British  

/ ˈprəʊɡræm /

noun

1. a sequence of coded instructions fed into a computer, enabling it to perform specified logical and arithmetical operations on data

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verb

1. (tr) to feed a program into (a computer)

2. (tr) to arrange (data) into a suitable form so that it can be processed by a computer

3. (intr) to write a program

program Scientific  

/ prō′grăm′ /

1. A organized system of instructions and data interpreted by a computer. Programming instructions are often referred to as code.

2. See more at source code See also programming language

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program Cultural  

1. A series of instructions given to a computer to direct it to carry out certain operations. The term code is often used to denote large-scale operations.

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Other Word Forms

• reprogram verb (used with object)
• unprogrammed adjective

Etymology

Origin of program

First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin programma, from Greek prógramma “public notice in writing”; pro- ², -gram ¹

Example Sentences

Television carried similar programs in the post-WWII era, often hosted by home economists, with a few exceptions.

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. and Iran have since been locked in high-stakes talks over dismantling Iran’s nuclear program.

From The Wall Street Journal

Skating through an injury and out of medal contention after a fall earlier in her free skate, Bonaly suddenly inserted the flip in the middle of her program.

From Los Angeles Times

Credits can be earned for things such as completing rehabilitative or educational programs, abiding by the rules or completing wildfire firefighting work.

From Los Angeles Times

The two-year program would study premature infants responded to auditory stimulation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bill
• business
• curriculum
• plan
• schedule