app

¹

[ap]

noun

1. 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.

2. an application; a form to be filled out by an applicant.

   I'm working on my college apps.

app

²

[ap]

noun

1. Informal.,  an appetizer served before a meal.

app.

³

abbreviation

1. apparatus.

2. apparent.

3. appendix.

4. applied.

5. appointed.

6. approved.

7. approximate.

app

/ æp /

noun

1. informal,  computing short for application program

Word History and Origins

Origin of app¹

First recorded in 1985–90; shortening of application ( def. )

Origin of app²

By shortening

Example Sentences

When Jess shared her original experience on LinkedIn, someone messaged her to say his AI app would create an image of a woman with one arm.

Read more on BBC

Many users, especially those in Gen Z, have grown tired of dating apps and question their ability to foster meaningful connections, opting instead for in-person interactions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The new age-appropriate content settings mark the platform’s latest push to protect young people on the app after automatically making new teen accounts private last year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When you’re in court defending accusations that your app encourages teenagers to hurt themselves, your business model might need a rethink.

Read more on MarketWatch

Dasco also said on Monday that the House of Representatives would release a publicly accessible app where lawmakers are required to report on their expenditure of recess funds, to allow Indonesians to monitor their spending.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• program 
• software