programmable

American  

[proh-gram-uh-buhl, proh-gram-] / ˈproʊ græm ə bəl, proʊˈgræm- /

Or programable

adjective

1. capable of being programmed.

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noun

1. an electronic device, as a calculator or telephone, that can be programmed to perform specific tasks.

programmable British  

/ prəʊˈɡræməbəl /

adjective

1. (esp of a device or operation) capable of being programmed for automatic operation or computer processing

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Other Word Forms

• nonprogrammable
  adjective
• programmability
  noun
• reprogrammable
  adjective
• unprogrammable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of programmable

First recorded in 1955–60; program + -able

Example Sentences

The most enthusiastic users have even bought programmable foot pedals, a gaming accessory, so they can activate Wispr with their toes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

This could lead to medicines that behave like programmable systems, capable of making more advanced decisions inside the body.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

The age of programmable medicine may be upon us.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

“So when biology becomes programmable like this, entire industries change. Just like software ate media, just like software ate retail, software is now on the verge of eating medicine,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Babbage designed schematics for a programmable computer, something that could process mathematical equations in place of the human mind.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel