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
That’s something that, for instance, Kyle [Sullivan], who is in the program, is very concerned about. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 17 Mar. 2024 Fans are grumbling about the state of the program, but that’s not new, either. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 While the Goodyear Fire Department began its own ambulance program in March, the accident took place several weeks shy of the program going live. The Arizona Republic, 16 Mar. 2024 People who love them can even symbolically adopt an axolotl to help fund conservation programs. Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024 Spending a full summer in one of the region’s more elaborate programs can total more than $4,000 per child. Marisa Iati, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Advocates found the bank particularly difficult to work with under government mortgage modification programs. Stan Choe, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 First-time violators will be allowed to participate in a free Oceanside Police Department education program instead of paying the $50 fine. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 The list of issues from which she is recused includes utility power-generation and transmission initiatives, PSC rule making, grant programs and oversight of energy efficiency programs. Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024
Verb
She has been involved with the photography industry in various capacities since her undergraduate training at the University of Kentucky, with work ranging from client photography to program development and management of the photo department at Evolve, a vacation rental company. Abby Ferguson, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2024 Botley doesn’t require a smart device or app and comes with a remote control kids can use to program its every move. Julie Evans, Parents, 12 Mar. 2024 The discovery came about when researchers at Stanford programmed the computers to teach themselves biology. Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 However, requirements, cost, and time to get approved can vary significantly from program to program. Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 Zhang used her database of photos to inform and program her A.I. model. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 One of those benefits, strangely enough, seems to be programmed self-destruction. Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 The festival is programmed by Mezzanine artistic director Micah Gottlieb and founded and co-produced by Gottlieb and film producer Sarah Winshall. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Start by throwing out everything you’ve been programmed to think, write, believe. Sarah Jenkins, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 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.

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 28 Mar. 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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