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

Explanation

A program is a sequence or plan. At your niece's dance recital you may be dismayed to discover that her piece is 19th on the program. Settle in! Program comes from the Greek for "public notice." When you go to the theater, you'll be handed a program with the names of the play and the performers. We call television or radio shows programs, especially if they’re on regularly. If you're trying to get in shape, you'll need an exercise program. To program is to plan or organize something, or to write the code and execute the commands that make computers work.

Example Sentences

Rejoining the program is expected to raise $500 million a year, or some $150 per Virginia household.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

A set of questions on Medicare Advantage from Republican Rep. David Schweikert, of Arizona, was illustrative of bipartisan interest in curbing spending on the federal health benefits program operated by private insurers.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Organizers also say the tradition honors the legacy of Sandy Steers, a longtime supporter of the program who championed educational opportunities for local students.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

For X Money’s beta program, Musk leaned on both employees and a fundraiser from “Star Trek” actor William Shatner to invite participation.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

But despite all our progress, the US space program wasn’t moving fast enough.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

• bill
• business
• curriculum
• plan
• schedule