app

¹ American  

[ap] / æp /

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.

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app ² American  

[ap] / æp /

noun

1. Informal. an appetizer served before a meal.

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app. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. apparatus.

2. apparent.

3. appendix.

4. applied.

5. appointed.

6. approved.

7. approximate.

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app British  

/ æp /

noun

1. informal computing short for application program

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Etymology

Origin of app¹

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

Origin of app²

By shortening

Example Sentences

First off, if you have downloaded an app that pays you for sharing your internet bandwidth, you are likely part of a residential proxy network.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The company said it is building a “unified AI superapp” after recently closing down its Sora video-generation app to reallocate resources.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

There’s also the option of Coachella’s livestream app.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

As a consumer, you should expect the same level of security you’d get from a bank when uploading a check through its mobile app.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

All held cell phones to their ears or extended in front of them while they tapped at some app or another.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

Related Words

• program
• software