program

[ proh-gram, -gruhm ]

noun

1. a plan of action to accomplish a specified end:

   a school lunch program.

2. a plan or schedule of activities, procedures, etc., to be followed.
3. a broadcasted television or radio production or similar internet-based content produced for distribution.
4. Also called com·put·er pro·gram. Digital Technology. a precise sequence of instructions enabling a computer to perform a task; a piece of software.
5. a collection of principles, actions, objectives, etc., established with a long-term goal in mind; platform; policy:

   A review of our education initiatives and programs suggests we are meeting our goals.

6. a list of items, pieces, performers, etc., in a musical, theatrical, or other entertainment.
7. an entertainment with reference to its pieces or numbers:

   a program of American and French music.

8. a planned, coordinated group of activities, procedures, etc., often for a specific purpose, or a facility offering such a series of activities:

   a drug rehabilitation program;

   a graduate program in linguistics.

9. a prospectus or syllabus:

   a program of courses being offered.

verb (used with object)

, pro·grammed or pro·gramed, pro·gram·ming or pro·gram·ing.

1. to schedule as part of a program.
2. Digital Technology. to write code for (a computer program or application).
3. to insert or encode specific operating instructions into (a machine or apparatus):

   We'll program the bells to ring at ten-minute intervals.

4. to insert (instructions) into a machine or apparatus:

   An automatic release has been programmed into the lock as a safety feature.

5. to cause to absorb or incorporate automatic responses, attitudes, or the like; condition:

   Our parents programmed us to respect our elders.

6. to set, regulate, or modify so as to produce a specific response or reaction:

   Program your eating habits to eliminate sweets.

verb (used without object)

, pro·grammed or pro·gramed, pro·gram·ming or pro·gram·ing.

1. to plan or write a program.
2. Digital Technology. to write computer code.

program

/ ˈprəʊɡræm /

noun

1. a sequence of coded instructions fed into a computer, enabling it to perform specified logical and arithmetical operations on data

verb

1. tr to feed a program into (a computer)
2. tr to arrange (data) into a suitable form so that it can be processed by a computer
3. intr to write a program

program

/ prō′grăm′ /

1. A organized system of instructions and data interpreted by a computer. Programming instructions are often referred to as code.
2. See more at source codeSee also programming language

program

1. A series of instructions given to a computer to direct it to carry out certain operations. The term codeis often used to denote large-scale operations.

Other Words From

• re·pro·gram verb (used with object) reprogrammed or reprogramed reprogramming or reprograming
• un·pro·grammed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of program¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin programma, from Greek prógramma “public notice in writing”; pro- ², -gram ¹

Example Sentences

Her parents wanted to support her and sent her to a summer program at Parsons School of Design in New York City as a teenager.

From Los Angeles Times

But they received a boost in 2020, when Los Angeles County approved a $14-million pilot program for land trusts to buy and rehabilitate properties across the county.

From Los Angeles Times

Aldo Croquer, a marine conservation program manager for the Central Caribbean in Nature Conservancy, said that coral reefs have weathered many cataclysmic events in Earth’s history, but they may not survive humanity.

From Salon

USA Network had gained traction with its “Blue Skies” programming strategy: sunny and upbeat TV programs infused with a buoyant energy and natural light.

From Los Angeles Times

Hank Sanders is a Times reporter and a member of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, a program for journalists early in their careers.

From New York Times

Related Words

• compute
• prioritize
• register
• set up