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

“It’s easy to imagine that in six to 12 months, every application that’s facing the internet in some way is being probed by a genius-level cybersecurity attacker in the form of an agent.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 2, 2026

The judge, Mr Justice Chamberlain, refused the application for a judicial review saying that none of the claims made by the campaigners had a realistic chance of success.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

A political asylum application, for instance, must be submitted within a year of initial entry.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

What makes the government’s new emergency application unusual is that it isn’t a court trying to change the rules close to an election.

From Slate ● Jul. 30, 2026

The rest of the day, I hid in my room, filling out the dog adoption application and researching bichon frises and how to care for shy dogs online.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

The researchers will now try to apply the same concept to bulk CoAl nanocomposites that could be produced for industrial-scale applications.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

Bar-licensed attorneys have also tried to fast-track the system, filing invalid for asylum or lawful permanent residency applications for unknowing clients.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

He explained that ServiceNow has made it its specialty to lodge itself between a number of different applications and connect separate software platforms, which sets the company up to implement agents across an organization.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

Between January 2023 and March 2024, Iranian nationals submitted about 20,000 applications for international protection in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

He’s been filling out job applications all week, hoping to find a teaching position for the fall.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

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