reprogram

verb

re·​pro·​gram (ˌ)rē-ˈprō-ˌgram How to pronounce reprogram (audio)
-grəm
reprogrammed; reprogramming; reprograms

transitive verb

: to program anew
especially : to revise or write a new program for
reprogram a computer

intransitive verb

: to rewrite or revise a program especially of a computer
reprogrammable adjective

Examples of reprogram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Scientists at Colossal have managed to reprogram Asian elephant cells into an embryonic-like state that can give rise to every other cell type. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 The idea was to reprogram his body to do its job optimally and avoid rebound effects. Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 In flies, a high sugar diet can reprogram the ability to taste sweetness by tapping into a gene expression network involved in development. Karla Kaun, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 Over the past decade, Michael Meaney, a neurobiologist at McGill University, and his colleagues have been producing one of the most detailed studies of how experience can reprogram the brain’s genes. Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023 The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) had to scramble to reprogram tens of millions in funds to try to meet the climbing demand. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2023 Around the same time, Josiah’s brother, seven years older than him, figured out how to reprogram cell phones so they could be transferred from one telephone carrier to another. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023 The resolution was among a number of actions the council took Tuesday, including confirming Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, rejecting a request from the mayor to reprogram millions in rental assistance funds, and formally repealing the requirement that students in D.C. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023 Exposing yourself to bright light first thing in the morning can also help reprogram the brain to wake up—and subsequently fall asleep—earlier, said Dr. Varga. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 3 Sep. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of reprogram was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near reprogram

Cite this Entry

“Reprogram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprogram. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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