application

American  

[ap-li-key-shuhn] / ˌæp lɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

• applications
  plural

1. the act of putting to a special use or purpose.

   the application of common sense to a problem.

   Synonyms:

   utilization

2. the special use or purpose to which something is put.

   a technology having numerous applications never thought of by its inventors.

3. the quality of being usable for a particular purpose or in a special way; relevance.

   This has no application to the case.

   Synonyms:

   pertinence, aptitude

4. the act of requesting.

   Her application for assistance was, surprisingly, received favorably by the members of the assembly.

   Synonyms:

   petition, suit, soliciting, solicitation

5. a formal or written request for employment, admission, funding, authorization, etc.: His first job application led to an interview.

   She submitted applications to three universities.

   His first job application led to an interview.

6. Also called application form.  a form to be filled out by an applicant, as for a job or a driver's license.

   Attach a passport photo to your completed application.

7. close attention; persistent effort.

   Application to one's studies is necessary.

   Synonyms:

   perseverance, persistence, industry, diligence, assiduity

8. an act or instance of spreading on, rubbing in, or bringing into contact: a second application of varnish.

   the application of a compress to a wound;

   a second application of varnish.

9. a salve, ointment, or the like, applied as a soothing or healing agent.

10. Computers. a computer program, such as a word processor, graphics editor, utility, etc., used for a particular type of job or problem.

    The new version 4.0 of their music production application contains several improvements.

    Antiviral and firewall applications are system utilities that protect your computer.

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application British  

/ ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of applying to a particular purpose or use

2. relevance or value

   the practical applications of space technology

3. the act of asking for something

   an application for leave

4. a verbal or written request, as for a job, etc

   he filed his application

5. diligent effort or concentration

   a job requiring application

6. something, such as a healing agent or lotion, that is applied, esp to the skin

7. logic maths the process of determining the value of a function for a given argument

8. short for application program applications package

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application Scientific  

/ ăp′lĭ-kā′shən /

1. A computer program with an interface, enabling people to use the computer as a tool to accomplish a specific task. Word processing, spreadsheet, and communications software are all examples of applications.

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Synonym Usage

See effort.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interapplication
  noun
• nonapplication
  noun
• overapplication
  noun
• preapplication
  noun
• reapplication
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• applications
  plural

Etymology

Origin of application

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French applicacio(u)n, from Latin applicātiōn- (stem of applicātiō ), equivalent to applicāt(us) “applied” (past participle of the verb applicāre apply ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

An application is a request for a job, assistance or admission to a school. Colleges might want you to submit your application by Dec. 1, but they won't let you know if you've been accepted until sometime in April. An application is also a form you fill out for something. If you need a handicapped parking permit, you and your doctor must first fill out an application and then submit it in the town hall. An application is also a computer program designed to perform a task or solve a problem. If you didn't get enough sleep last night, the careful application of makeup can mask the dark circles under your eyes.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

application applications

In 2017, the actor filed a request to have the existing property razed so that he could build a new home on the same site; however, his application was denied.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

That’s because many companies leverage Google’s application programming interfaces so that they don’t have to develop their own expensive mapping software, and the Google APIs were displaying “Lake America.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

But Wissa's a massive part of why Newcastle have done well, although he's not being talked about enough in terms of the application that he puts in.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

AI is evolving too rapidly for any model, application or workflow to hold an advantage for long.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

An insurance agent who reviewed the application later told authorities, “I knew the questions in it had been answered falsely.”

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Most of it was a $22.7 trillion estimate for A.I. enterprise applications, based on the value of the entire digital economy.

From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2026

The administration has loosened the requirements for military veterans to obtain commercial driver’s licenses in an effort to fill empty jobs, announcing a “Freedom Haulers” program to fast-track veterans’ applications.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

After its announcement that it will not be changing the name of Lake Ontario, MapQuest rose to the top of the most-downloaded free applications as of Monday morning on the Apple App Store in Canada.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

The study, published in Nature, could expand the possibilities for electronics and other applications, including flexible lighting and medical implants.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

Maine in 1996 received 82,000 applications for just 1,500 permits.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• appeal
• claim
• demand
• form
• inquiry
• letter
• petition