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programmatic

[ proh-gruh-mat-ik ]
/ ˌproʊ grəˈmĂŠt ÉȘk /
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adjective
of, relating to, consisting of, or resembling program music.
of, having, advocating, resembling, or following a plan, policy, or program: programmatic art.
of, relating to, or employing a computer program: The coders found a programmatic solution to automate data processing.
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Sometimes pro·gram·mat·i·cal .

Origin of programmatic

1895–1900; <Greek programmat- (stem of prógramma ) program + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM programmatic

pro·gram·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·pro·gram·mat·ic, adjectiveun·pro·gram·mat·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT PROGRAMMATIC

What does programmatic mean?

Programmatic is most commonly used to describe things done using a computer program.

In computing, a program is a sequence of instructions (called code) that enable a computer to perform a task. Programmatic is used to refer to tasks that can be done in an automated way (using such programs), especially as opposed to tasks that have to be done manually (by a person).

Program is a common word that has many other meanings, and programmatic can also refer to anything involving or using a plan.

More specifically but less commonly, it can be used to describe something involving program music, which is music intended to convey an impression of a definite series of images, scenes, or events.

Example: Instead of reading every cell in the spreadsheet to look for duplicates, you can filter them out programmatically.

Where does programmatic come from?

The word programmatic is first recorded in English around the early 1900s, but it didn’t come to be used in its modern sense until much later (obviously), after the advent of computers. But today, it’s most commonly used to refer to tasks completed with software.

Performing tasks in a programmatic way is really the whole point of computers. Instead of having to solve long, complex equations, computers were invented to crunch the numbers programmatically: instructions (the code) are programmed into the computer, specific data is put in, and then, bleep bloop, the computer does the work.

You’re most likely to hear the word being used to discuss how something can be automated, or at least simplified, so that humans don’t have to do as much work. But the scale and potential applications of things that can be done programmatically are limitless.

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What are some other forms of programmatic?

  • programmatically (adverb)
  • nonprogrammatic (adjective)
  • unprogrammatic (adjective)
  • programmatical (adjective)

What are some synonyms for programmatic?

What are some words that share a root or word element with programmatic?

What are some words that often get used in discussing programmatic?

How is programmatic used in real life?

Programmatic is primarily used to talk about having software do the work so we don’t have to.

 

 

Try using programmatic!

Which of the following words is an antonym (opposite) of programmatic?

A. algorithmic
B. automated
C. manual
D. methodical

How to use programmatic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for programmatic

programmatic
/ (ˌprÉ™ÊŠÉĄrəˈmĂŠtÉȘk) /

adjective
of or relating to programme music
of or relating to a programme
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
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