program

[ proh-gram, -gruhm ]

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 com·put·er pro·gram. 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.

verb (used with object)

, pro·grammed or pro·gramed, pro·gram·ming or pro·gram·ing.

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)

, pro·grammed or pro·gramed, pro·gram·ming or pro·gram·ing.

1. to plan or write a program.
2. Digital Technology. to write computer code.

program

/ ˈprəʊɡræm /

noun

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

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

/ 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 codeSee also programming language

program

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

Other Words From

• re·pro·gram verb (used with object) reprogrammed or reprogramed reprogramming or reprograming
• un·pro·grammed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of program¹

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

Example Sentences

But such a restoration could lead to the loss of key programs that are vital to children’s health.

From Salon

"These are programmes that are giving people a voice and showing how some people are having to live."

From BBC

Student activists and some parents have called for eliminating all school police — saying that education dollars should be spent on counselors, mental health and achievement programs instead.

From Los Angeles Times

"If you watch many of Hollywood's kids shows, you would think that parents want woke instructions for their kids," Cameron told Fox News Digital at last week's Green Carpet Premiere of the program.

From Salon

This precise, comprehensive analysis of the interaction mechanisms between bacteria and phages enabled the bioinformaticians in the team to design an optimized, effective artificial intelligence program.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• compute
• prioritize
• register
• set up