application

[ ap-li-key-shuhn ]

/ ˌæp lɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR application ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of putting to a special use or purpose: the application of common sense to a problem.

the special use or purpose to which something is put: a technology having numerous applications never thought of by its inventors.

the quality of being usable for a particular purpose or in a special way; relevance: This has no application to the case.

the act of requesting.

a written or spoken request or appeal for employment, admission, help, funds, etc.: to file an application for admission to a university.

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

close attention; persistent effort: Application to one's studies is necessary.

an act or instance of spreading on, rubbing in, or bringing into contact: the application of a compress to a wound; a second application of varnish.

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

Computers.

a type of job or problem that lends itself to processing or solution by computer: Inventory control is a common business application.
Also called application software, application program. a computer program used for a particular type of job or problem: Your new computer comes preloaded with applications.

Nearby words

appley, appliance, appliance garage, applicable, applicant, application, application program, applications package, applicative, applicator, applicatory

Origin of application

1375–1425; late Middle English applicacio(u)n (< Middle French) < Latin applicātiōn- (stem of applicātiō), equivalent to applicāt(us) applied (past participle of applicāre to apply) + -iōn- -ion

SYNONYMS FOR application

1 utilization.

3 aptitude, suitability, pertinence.

4 solicitation, petition.

7 assiduity, industry, persistence, perseverance. See effort.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR application ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·ter·ap·pli·ca·tion, nounnon·ap·pli·ca·tion, nouno·ver·ap·pli·ca·tion, nounpre·ap·pli·ca·tion, noun

re·ap·pli·ca·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for application

“Defendant moved his hands in a manner so as to avoid the application of handcuffs to his wrists,” the complaint says.
Protesters Slimed This Good Samaritan Cop|Michael Daly|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My parents were thrilled with my choice, even though I had never even paid the campus a visit during the application process.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that ISIS has been known to use the application FireChat.
ISIS Keeps Getting Better at Dodging U.S. Spies|Shane Harris, Noah Shachtman|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While that application has been used in Iraq, ISIS has not been confirmed to have used it.
ISIS Keeps Getting Better at Dodging U.S. Spies|Shane Harris, Noah Shachtman|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Her husband was supportive and even took the photos to submit with her application.
From Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader to Mrs. Robinson|Brandy Zadrozny|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The exclusiveness of the New England theocracies, already relaxed in its application to other sects, was thenceforth at an end.
A History of American Christianity|Leonard Woolsey Bacon
Getting up another article on the application of electric force?
The Award of Justice|A. Maynard Barbour
"Volume," except in its application to books, now carries with it an idea of magnitude.
The Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 1|Alexander Pope
There is literally a world of hope for mankind in the application of this principle on its moral side.
The Booklover and His Books|Harry Lyman Koopman
It is however always philosophy in application to human life and conduct.
Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature|Various

British Dictionary definitions for application

application

/ (ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

the act of applying to a particular purpose or use

relevance or valuethe practical applications of space technology

the act of asking for somethingan application for leave

a verbal or written request, as for a job, etche filed his application

diligent effort or concentrationa job requiring application

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

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

short for application program, applications package

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for application

application

[ ăp′lĭ-kā′shən ]

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.