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

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

Etymology

Origin of programmable

First recorded in 1955–60; program + -able

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

programmable

Or, use a smart thermostat: A programmable or smart thermostat automates the heavy lifting, raising temperatures when you’re at work and dropping them right before you walk through the door.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026

These purpose-built technologies include programmable liquid-cooling and rack-control appliances.

From Barron's ● Jun. 1, 2026

"They will be biological, programmable, and intelligent. They will be the tools that allow us to finally master the molecular world."

From Science Daily ● Mar. 31, 2026

The instrument will allow Bank of Montreal to offer traditional commercial-bank funds in digital form, made available to a broader set of BMO clients for business-to-business payments, treasury movements, and programmable cash applications.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 24, 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