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

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Etymology

Origin of programmable

First recorded in 1955–60; program + -able

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

programmable

In "An ode to Milton Keynes", Onwunali refers to "the colossus, the world's first programmable computer" and "self-driving cars on Roman roads".

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

Touch ID is built into the Duo’s power button, and I missed the simplicity of Face ID, as well as the programmable action button, which I use daily to trigger my Pro’s flashlight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

Adria Arjona stars in Adam Wingard’s flimsy action feature about a woman facing down a group of rampaging, programmable fighters that have escaped from a mad doctor’s lab.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

Researchers at Seoul National University and the University of Seoul have developed a programmable photonic integrated circuit that can slow light whenever needed.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 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

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