application

[ ap-li-key-shuhn ]
See synonyms for: applicationapplications on Thesaurus.com

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

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

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

  2. the act of requesting: Her application for assistance was, surprisingly, received favorably by the members of the assembly.

  3. a formal or written request for employment, admission, funding, authorization, etc.: She submitted applications to three universities.His first job application led to an interview.

  4. Also called application form . a form to be filled out by an applicant, as for a job or a driver's license: Attach a passport photo to your completed application.

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

  6. 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.

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

  8. Computers. a computer program, such as a word processor, graphics editor, utility, etc., used for a particular type of job or problem: The new version 4.0 of their music production application contains several improvements.Antiviral and firewall applications are system utilities that protect your computer.

Origin of application

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French applicacio(u)n, from Latin applicātiōn- (stem of applicātiō ), equivalent to applicāt(us) “applied” (past participle of the verb applicāre apply) + -iōn- -ion

synonym study For application

7. See effort.

Other words for application

Other words from application

  • in·ter·ap·pli·ca·tion, noun
  • non·ap·pli·ca·tion, noun
  • o·ver·ap·pli·ca·tion, noun
  • pre·ap·pli·ca·tion, noun
  • re·ap·pli·ca·tion, noun

Words Nearby application

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use application in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for application

application

/ (ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən) /


noun
  1. the act of applying to a particular purpose or use

  2. relevance or value: the practical applications of space technology

  1. the act of asking for something: an application for leave

  2. a verbal or written request, as for a job, etc: he filed his application

  3. diligent effort or concentration: a job requiring application

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

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

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

Scientific definitions for application

application

[ ăp′lĭ-kāshən ]


  1. 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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.