subroutine

American  

[suhb-roo-teen] / ˈsʌb ruˌtin /

noun

Computers.

1. an instruction sequence in a machine or assembly language program that can be prewritten and referred to as often as needed.

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subroutine British  

/ ˈsʌbruːˌtiːn /

noun

1. Also called: procedure.  a section of a computer program that is stored only once but can be used when required at several different points in the program, thus saving space

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Etymology

Origin of subroutine

First recorded in 1945–50; sub- + routine

Example Sentences

And yes, I now fear that some distant corporate subroutine will begin inundating me with ads for dating sites.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2023

For example, the quality of the quantum subroutine in hybrid algorithms for chemistry can vary greatly depending on the system that is being simulated and the mathematical tricks used.

From Nature • Sep. 12, 2017

An emerging subculture or subroutine was the "might be Japanese" category, with names like Onida and Okaya leaving just enough room for doubt.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2016

He instructed follow, and a subroutine activated his leg actuators.

From Nature • Oct. 26, 2011

There is a little subroutine that had traditionally been used in various programs at MIT to calculate an approximation to the moon's true phase.

From The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 by Raymond, Eric S.