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programme

British  
/ ˈprəʊɡræm /

noun

  1. a written or printed list of the events, performers, etc, in a public performance

  2. a performance or series of performances, often presented at a scheduled time, esp on radio or television

  3. a specially arranged selection of things to be done

    what's the programme for this afternoon?

  4. a plan, schedule, or procedure

  5. a syllabus or curriculum

"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

verb

  1. to design or schedule (something) as 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

noun

  1. computing a variant spelling of program

"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

Etymology

Origin of programme

C17: from Late Latin programma, from Greek: written public notice, from pro- ² + graphein to write

Explanation

Programme is the British spelling of program, which is a plan or system. You are constantly reminding the daydreaming Betty to get with the programme. Programme can mean plan, curriculum, or an episode of a larger plan. Your school has a programme for your education. In college your major will determine which programme you follow. The TV show you especially like is your favorite programme. Programme is also a verb. You programme your alarm clock to wake you at 6, or programme a series of musicians to play at the local pub. If you think society brainwashes you with advertising, then you feel programmed.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During weekend talks, the United States reportedly sought a 20-year suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment programme, according to media reports on Monday.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Conservative MP Wendy Morton told the BBC's Politics Live programme: "It strikes me that there's a big issue around patient and professional confidence at the moment in Palantir's ability to protect data."

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

The Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds has approved £1m of additional funding for a programme which could see juveniles released as early as summer 2027.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

And though the official tour programme ends on Friday evening with a rugby match in Sydney, on Saturday the Duchess will hold an "in-person conversation" at a wellness retreat in a five-star Sydney beachside hotel.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Actually, proponents of the strong programme treat the empiricist language-game as if it were one of a number of equally false language-games, for the only valid game, in their eyes, is the Wittgensteinian meta-game.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton