app
noun
a software application, often a small, specialized program for mobile devices.
app
1 American
[ap]
/ æp /
noun
-
Digital Technology. a software application, often a small, specialized program for mobile devices.
You’ll find numerous free photo editing apps in the app store on your smartphone.
The word processing app that comes with the laptop isn’t adequate for our publishing needs.
-
an application; a form to be filled out by an applicant.
I'm working on my college apps.
app
2
American
[ap]
/ æp /
noun
app.
3
American
abbreviation
-
apparatus.
-
apparent.
-
appendix.
-
applied.
-
appointed.
-
approved.
-
approximate.
app
British
/ æp /
noun
Etymology
Origin of app1
First recorded in 1985–90; shortening of application ( def. )
Origin of app2
By shortening
Explanation
An app is a program that's designed to be used on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. If you don't have a weather app, how will you know whether or not to bring your raincoat? App is short for application. You can use it for any kind of computer application (like word processing or spreadsheets), but it usually refers to smartphones. If you have one, you've also got apps, for things like maps, banking, entertainment, to-do lists, and photo editing. Every so often, you'll also hear someone use app as shorthand for a restaurant appetizer: "I'd like to order some apps for the table, when you have a sec!"
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Equipple app is used by many schools to schedule and book meetings between parents and teachers.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
The online platform Rally uses an app to sell shares in vintage Rolexes, Aston Martins, first-edition Harry Potter books and baseball cards.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
Inmates used the app to send $1,500 to a relative of Mesier, according to prosecutors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Bookings growth also slowed as the company lapped its acquisition of European taxi app Freenow from last year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Neither Tamika nor I brought up our app presentation at camp, which was fine with me.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
"That works for a photo sharing app. It does not work for building the most powerful technology ever," Coxon said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
Think about a recipe like a roadmap, a GPS app. or a guideline, but to a destination you’ve already been to.
From Salon ● Mar. 30, 2025
Though Uber as a company has horrifying labor practices, you can at least look at them and go, “This is why I’m using the app. This is why this is a potentially world-changing concept.”
From Slate ● Feb. 2, 2025
“As a parent, I get tired of that being UGA’s go-to. Oh, we have the safety app. Well, the safety app is not much of a deterrent,” Bennett told the Atlanta TV station.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 23, 2024
“I did my homework too, and I just opened the banking app. We only spent about ten thousand on day one.”
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
