program

1 of 2

noun

pro·​gram ˈprō-ˌgram How to pronounce program (audio) -grəm How to pronounce program (audio)
1
[Late Latin programma, from Greek] : a public notice
2
a
: a brief usually printed outline of the order to be followed, of the features to be presented, and the persons participating (as in a public performance)
b
: the performance of a program
especially : a performance broadcast on radio or television
3
: a plan or system under which action may be taken toward a goal
4
5
6
a
: a sequence of coded instructions that can be inserted into a mechanism (such as a computer)
b
dated : a complete plan for solving a problem by the use of a mechanism (such as a computer) that includes both instructions to be inserted into the mechanism and plans for human activities such as interpreting output
c
: the genes or sequences of DNA or RNA that are part of an organism or cell and encode or determine a process, trait, or behavior
… a mouse in which a tiny but crucial bit of the genetic program has been eliminated.Bruce Fellman
also : a process, trait, or behavior determined by or as if by the genetic material of an organism
Orb webs are marvels of geometry and construction. They are built according to a complex behavioral program, which is highly flexible in some respects and very precise in others. Michael H. Robinson

program

2 of 2

verb

pro·​gram ˈprō-ˌgram How to pronounce program (audio)
-grəm
variants or less commonly programme
programmed or programed; programming or programing

transitive verb

1
a
: to arrange or furnish a program of or for : bill
b
: to enter in a program
2
: to work out a sequence of operations to be performed by (a mechanism, such as a computer) : to provide with a program
3
a
: to insert a program for (a particular action) into or as if into a mechanism (such as a computer)
b
: to control by or as if by a program
c(1)
: to code in an organism's program
(2)
: to provide with a biological program
cells programmed to synthesize hemoglobin
4
: to predetermine the thinking, behavior, or operations of as if by computer programming
children are programmed into violenceLisa A. Richette
programmability noun
programmable adjective or noun

Examples of program in a Sentence

Noun a program of regular dental checkups the program will tell us the scheduled order of musical numbers Verb He programmed the computer to calculate his monthly expenses and earnings. She is learning how to program in school. Can you help me program my cell phone?
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Historically, international applicants have helped shore up enrollments in graduate business programs. Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Brown stayed in the second rehab program throughout much of his trial for the DC assault, but was taken into custody again in March 2014 for allegedly violating various rehab rules. Elizabeth Wagmeister and Dan Heching, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
Our largest clients globally are investing in real estate and opening spaces and programming ambitiously in Paris. Joelle Diderich, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024 Set on programming the play, Ragan decided to take a crack at it. Lisa Kennedy, The Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for program 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'program.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French programme agenda, public notice, from Greek programma, from prographein to write before, from pro- before + graphein to write — more at carve

First Known Use

Noun

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of program was in 1633

Dictionary Entries Near program

Cite this Entry

“Program.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/program. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

program

1 of 2 noun
pro·​gram ˈprō-ˌgram How to pronounce program (audio) -grəm How to pronounce program (audio)
1
: a brief usually written outline describing a presentation (as of a concert or play)
2
: the performance of a program
received a trophy at the awards program
especially : a performance that is broadcast
3
: a plan of action
a program of regular dental checkups
a political program
4
: a set of step-by-step instructions that tell a computer to do something with data

program

2 of 2 verb
programmed or programed
-ˌgramd,
-grəmd
; programming or programing
1
: to provide with a program
program a computer
2
: to direct the thinking or behavior of (someone) as if by a computer program
he's been programmed to believe he can succeed if he tries
programmable adjective

Medical Definition

program

1 of 2 noun
pro·​gram
variants or chiefly British programme
: the genes or sequences of DNA or RNA that are part of an organism or cell and encode or determine a process, trait, or behavior

program

2 of 2 transitive verb
variants or chiefly British programme
programmed or programed; programming or programing
1
: to code in an organism's program
2
: to provide with a biological program
cells programmed to synthesize hemoglobin

More from Merriam-Webster on program

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