application

noun

ap·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌa-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce application (audio)
1
: an act of applying:
a(1)
: an act of putting something to use
application of new techniques
(2)
: a use to which something is put
new applications for old remedies
b
: an act of administering or laying one thing on another
application of paint to a house
c
: assiduous attention
succeeds by application to her studies
2
a
: request, petition
an application for financial aid
b
: a form used in making a request
filling out an application
3
: a program (such as a word processor or a spreadsheet) that performs a particular task or set of tasks
4
: the practical conclusion or lesson to be derived from a speech or writing (such as a moral tale)
5
: a medicated or protective layer or material
an oily application for dry skin
6
: capacity for practical use
words of varied application

Examples of application in a Sentence

Our loan application has been approved. Anyone interested in running for office must file an application by August 1st. If you'd like to be considered for the job, please send us a letter of application that gives your experience and qualifications. Please fill out this application. The application of heat often helps sore muscles. Repeated application of fertilizer will help the grass become green and healthy. Repeated applications of fertilizer will help the grass become green and healthy. The cut should be treated with a generous application of ointment. Strict application of the rules is necessary in this case. the application of new information
Recent Examples on the Web The application had long been derided as too complicated and too labor-intensive for families, asking for detailed tax information. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 But the application opened nearly three months later than usual this year, leaving colleges scrambling to compile student financial aid packages in time for May decisions. The Enquirer, 11 Mar. 2024 Students were instead hit with months-long delays and an application that wasn’t adjusted for inflation. The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 Bass announced Thursday that the Los Angeles Police Department received more than 1,200 applications to become police officers, a two-year high for the city. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Because GPUs have proved so crucial to deep-learning applications and artificial intelligence more broadly, demand for them has spiked beyond all reason. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 This problem only swelled in the wake of the pandemic, when tech modernization efforts were put on hold as employers focused on figuring out how to enable their large workforce to log in remotely and have safe access to the systems and applications that are behind firewalls. John Kell, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Groups representing defendants in the lawsuits that culminated in the Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children have filed an application asking the court to rehear the case, according to online records from the Alabama appellate courts. Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Workers are vying with more job candidates for fewer openings, forcing them to send in more applications. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'application.' 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

Middle English applicacioun, borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French applicacion, borrowed from Medieval Latin applicātiōn-, applicātiō "bringing into contact, coming to shore, bringing into use for a particular purpose," going back to Latin, "act of attaching or joining," from applicāre "to bring into contact (with), situate near, bring to bear (on)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at apply

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of application was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near application

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

application

noun
ap·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌap-lə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce application (audio)
1
a
: an act of applying
application of paint to a house
b
: an act of putting to use
application of a new method
c
: the use to which something is put
2
: ability to fix one's attention on a task
3
a
: a request made personally or in writing
an application for a job
b
: a form used for making a request
fill out a job application
4
: something put or spread on a surface
hot applications on a sprained ankle
5
: ability to be put to practical use
6
: a computer program that performs one of the major tasks for which a computer is used

Medical Definition

application

noun
ap·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌap-lə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce application (audio)
1
: an act of applying
the application of a dressing to a wound
2
: a medicated or protective layer or material
an oily application for dry skin

Legal Definition

application

noun
ap·​pli·​ca·​tion
: a request for action or relief
most applications request bail…or an extension of time to fileW. J. Brennan, Jr.
also : a form used to make such a request
an insurance application

More from Merriam-Webster on application

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