pro·gram
ˈprō-ˌgram 
-grəm
-grəm
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
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
Michael H. Robinson
pro·gram
ˈprō-ˌgram
-grəm
variants
or less commonly programme
programmed or programed; programming or programing
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 violence—Lisa A. Richette
Lisa A. Richette
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 WebNick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
At least, this was an express directive that had been disseminated en masse via television shows like What Not to Wear and How to Look Good Naked–the same programs that encouraged people to categorize their bodies into adverse fruit shapes.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
Cornwell chose Harlem’s Children’s Zone, the nonprofit running charter schools and family support programs in Manhattan.
—Randall Williams, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The deadline for Cal Grants and other state aid programs — that collectively dole out more than $2.3 billion — will be pushed back to May 2 under legislation that took effect last month.
—Ashley A. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
For weekend two, acts will include South Central LA underground dance party Hood Rave, followed by the magazine, record label and apparel brand Franchise closing the program with several poolside sets.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
In that role Owens focused on employee engagement and created an internship program.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024
Now, that money is running out, and Congress has yet to extend the program.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The Sister Visitor Center emergency assistance program at 2235 W. Market St. and Common Table, the culinary arts job training program located in the Dare to Care Community Kitchen at 1200 S. 28th St, will remain at those locations.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024
Brandon has learned to program and run the lighting board, edit sound and music cues on qlab, set design and construction, and even built a permanent wall to enclose the stage managers table as his Eagle Scout project.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
Expanding an existing therapy Both phase 1 clinical trials used CAR-T cells that were programmed to attack two targets instead of one, with the hope that multiple targets would better equip the cells to destroy solid tumors.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
Each warhead, once released in space from the rocket that missile that carried it aloft, can be programmed to hit separate targets up to 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) apart, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-proliferation.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024
The chatbots were still being programmed in a linear way, with input/output streams that could be quantified and identified by users.
—John Werner, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
Courtroom video became programming for Court TV, one of the early signature networks of the then expanding multi-channel universe.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
In Uzbekistan later this year, tour operator Halal Travel Guide has programmed activities including Islamic calligraphy and walking tours.
—Sarah Shaffi, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024
But again, whoever bought those assets would not own the content engine that supplies a good chunk of programming to them.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024
Noun
Some have had to cut positions and scrap programs such as summer school.
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
At least, this was an express directive that had been disseminated en masse via television shows like What Not to Wear and How to Look Good Naked–the same programs that encouraged people to categorize their bodies into adverse fruit shapes.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
Cornwell chose Harlem’s Children’s Zone, the nonprofit running charter schools and family support programs in Manhattan.
—Randall Williams, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The deadline for Cal Grants and other state aid programs — that collectively dole out more than $2.3 billion — will be pushed back to May 2 under legislation that took effect last month.
—Ashley A. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
For weekend two, acts will include South Central LA underground dance party Hood Rave, followed by the magazine, record label and apparel brand Franchise closing the program with several poolside sets.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
In that role Owens focused on employee engagement and created an internship program.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024
Now, that money is running out, and Congress has yet to extend the program.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The Sister Visitor Center emergency assistance program at 2235 W. Market St. and Common Table, the culinary arts job training program located in the Dare to Care Community Kitchen at 1200 S. 28th St, will remain at those locations.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
In addition to the music, the festival highlights the region’s artisanal food and craft beer scene, as well as hosts programming dedicated to comedy, visual art, literature, and family fun.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024
Brandon has learned to program and run the lighting board, edit sound and music cues on qlab, set design and construction, and even built a permanent wall to enclose the stage managers table as his Eagle Scout project.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
Expanding an existing therapy Both phase 1 clinical trials used CAR-T cells that were programmed to attack two targets instead of one, with the hope that multiple targets would better equip the cells to destroy solid tumors.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
Each warhead, once released in space from the rocket that missile that carried it aloft, can be programmed to hit separate targets up to 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) apart, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-proliferation.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024
The chatbots were still being programmed in a linear way, with input/output streams that could be quantified and identified by users.
—John Werner, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
Courtroom video became programming for Court TV, one of the early signature networks of the then expanding multi-channel universe.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
In Uzbekistan later this year, tour operator Halal Travel Guide has programmed activities including Islamic calligraphy and walking tours.
—Sarah Shaffi, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024
But again, whoever bought those assets would not own the content engine that supplies a good chunk of programming to them.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024
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.
Articles Related to program
Dictionary Entries Near program
Cite this Entry
“Program.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/program. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
program
1 of 2 noun
pro·gram
ˈprō-ˌgram
-grəm
-grəm
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
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
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