program

American  

[proh-gram, -gruhm] / ˈproʊ græm, -grəm /

especially British, programme

noun

1. a plan of action to accomplish a specified end.

   a school lunch program.

2. a plan or schedule of activities, procedures, etc., to be followed.

3. a broadcasted television or radio production or similar internet-based content produced for distribution.

4. Also called computer program.  Digital Technology. a precise sequence of instructions enabling a computer to perform a task; a piece of software.

5. a collection of principles, actions, objectives, etc., established with a long-term goal in mind; platform; policy.

   A review of our education initiatives and programs suggests we are meeting our goals.

6. a list of items, pieces, performers, etc., in a musical, theatrical, or other entertainment.

7. an entertainment with reference to its pieces or numbers.

   a program of American and French music.

8. a planned, coordinated group of activities, procedures, etc., often for a specific purpose, or a facility offering such a series of activities.

   a drug rehabilitation program;

   a graduate program in linguistics.

9. a prospectus or syllabus.

   a program of courses being offered.

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verb (used with object)

programmed, programed, programming, programing

1. to schedule as part of a program.

2. Digital Technology. to write code for (a computer program or application).

3. to insert or encode specific operating instructions into (a machine or apparatus).

   We'll program the bells to ring at ten-minute intervals.

4. to insert (instructions) into a machine or apparatus.

   An automatic release has been programmed into the lock as a safety feature.

5. to cause to absorb or incorporate automatic responses, attitudes, or the like; condition.

   Our parents programmed us to respect our elders.

6. to set, regulate, or modify so as to produce a specific response or reaction.

   Program your eating habits to eliminate sweets.

verb (used without object)

programmed, programed, programming, programing

1. to plan or write a program.

2. Digital Technology. to write computer code.

program British  

/ ˈprəʊɡræm /

noun

1. a sequence of coded instructions fed into a computer, enabling it to perform specified logical and arithmetical operations on data

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verb

1. (tr) to feed a program into (a computer)

2. (tr) to arrange (data) into a suitable form so that it can be processed by a computer

3. (intr) to write a program

program Scientific  

/ prō′grăm′ /

1. A organized system of instructions and data interpreted by a computer. Programming instructions are often referred to as code.

2. See more at source code See also programming language

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program Cultural  

1. A series of instructions given to a computer to direct it to carry out certain operations. The term code is often used to denote large-scale operations.

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Other Word Forms

• reprogram verb (used with object)
• unprogrammed adjective

Etymology

Origin of program

First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin programma, from Greek prógramma “public notice in writing”; pro- ², -gram ¹

Example Sentences

By comparison, NHS access is expected to reach only about 200,000 patients over the first three years of the program.

From Science Daily

More than 90 people have been charged with setting up sham businesses and nonprofits in Minnesota that feasted on Medicaid, food, housing and other welfare programs.

From The Wall Street Journal

The federal Department of Health and Human Services administers the program, distributing billions to states annually.

From The Wall Street Journal

The organization also funds policy, research, education and grant programs, including an AI journalism fellowship.

From The Wall Street Journal

Over the past two decades, the agency’s programs have been credited with saving the lives of 92 million people around the world.

From Salon

Related Words

• bill
• business
• curriculum
• plan
• schedule