program

[ proh-gram, -gruh m ]

/ ˈproʊ græm, -grəm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR program ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a plan of action to accomplish a specified end: a school lunch program.

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

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

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

an entertainment with reference to its pieces or numbers: a program of American and French music.

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.

a prospectus or syllabus: a program of courses being offered.

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

verb (used with object), pro·grammed or pro·gramed, pro·gram·ming or pro·gram·ing.

to schedule as part of a program.

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

to insert or encode specific operating instructions into (a machine or apparatus): We'll program the bells to ring at ten-minute intervals.

to insert (instructions) into a machine or apparatus: An automatic release has been programmed into the lock as a safety feature.

to cause to absorb or incorporate automatic responses, attitudes, or the like; condition: Our parents programmed us to respect our elders.

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.

to plan or write a program.

Digital Technology. to write computer code.

Nearby words

prognostic chart, prognosticate, prognostication, progradation, prograde, program, program director, program generator, program music, program picture, program statement

Also especially British, pro·gramme.

Origin of program

1625–35; < Late Latin programma < Greek prógramma “public notice in writing.” See pro-², -gram¹

Related forms

re·pro·gram, verb (used with object), re·pro·grammed or re·pro·gramed, re·pro·gram·ming or re·pro·gram·ing.un·pro·grammed, adjective

Can be confused

pogrom program

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

Examples from the Web for program

The program has not made a final selection on which upgrades will actually be included in future versions of the F-35.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In fact, according to F-35 program sources, the next software upgrades are not yet fully defined nor are they fully funded.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the program is just six weeks long, the Pentagon admitted Monday.
Pentagon Insider on New Plan to Fight ISIS: ‘Of Course It’s Not Enough’|Nancy A. Youssef|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
By 2011, Airbus was working on a program to replicate these conditions in a flight simulator for use in pilot training.
Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly?|Clive Irving|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

They even switched off their location service—one of the main perks of the program.
Sisi Is Persecuting, Prosecuting, and Publicly Shaming Egypt’s Gays|Bel Trew|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I do not propose to weary the reader by a recital of the program and a detailed account of each performance.
The Young Musician|Horatio Alger
Kids can participate in a program of sports, hulas, arts and crafts.
Oahu Traveler's guide|Bill Gleasner
The program they outlined would have resulted in a general lowering of prices in a month's time if every one had agreed to it.
Peggy Raymond's Way|Harriet Lummis Smith
Many more are in hearty sympathy with the program as an extraschool activity.
Educational Work of the Boy Scouts|Lorne W. Barclay
Before going to hear an artist sing, acquaint yourself as much as possible with the program.
What Every Singer Should Know|Millie Ryan

British Dictionary definitions for program

program

sometimes programme

/ (ˈprəʊɡræm) /

noun

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

verb -grams, -gramming, -grammed, -grammes, -gramming or -grammed

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

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

(intr) to write a program

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 program

program

[ prō′grăm′ ]

A organized system of instructions and data interpreted by a computer. Programming instructions are often referred to as code. See more at source code. See also programming language.

Culture definitions for program

program

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.