program

noun

pro·gram | \ˈprō-ˌgram,

Definition of program

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 [ Late Latin programma, from Greek ] : a public notice

2a : 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 : curriculum

5 : prospectus, syllabus

6a : 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 : a sequence of coded instructions (such as genes or behavioral responses) that is part of an organism

program

verb

pro·gram | \ˈprō-ˌgram,

-grəm\

variants: or less commonly programme

programmed or programed; programming or programing

Definition of program (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

3a : 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

Other Words from program Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about program

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Other Words from program

Verb

programmability \ (ˌ)prō-ˌgra-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

programmable \ ˈprō-ˌgra-mə-bəl

\ 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

Doust taught himself how to program, design, and assemble the model. — BostonGlobe.com, "Tea by the sea, Korean peace medals, and $2,000 to fight hunger," 13 July 2018 About $8 million in federal dollars will help fund future programs and house homeless youths in San Diego County, officials announced Friday. — Gary Warth, sandiegouniontribune.com, "HUD grants $8M for San Diego to help homeless youths," 13 July 2018 Owens’ children play for program and Henry Owens is a coach. — Rafael Guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "Carpentersville man who lost legs in boating accident getting wheelchair-friendly house from team of volunteers," 14 July 2018 In recent years, the Perrys have been performing in benefit productions for children's programs and charity. — Dave Mcnary, chicagotribune.com, "Roger Perry, 'The Facts of Life' and 'Harrigan and Son' actor, dies at 85," 13 July 2018 Judge Kavanaugh is an extremist far out of touch with the American mainstream,'' said Jonathan Perloe, director of programs and communications at CT Against Gun Violence. — Daniela Altimari, courant.com, "Democrats Rally Against Brett Kavanaugh Nomination," 13 July 2018 The Iran story demonstrates the complications of these kinds of book programs. — Amanda Laugesen, Smithsonian, "This Cold War-Era Publishing House Wanted To Share American Values With the World," 13 July 2018 The number of amazing programs and performances from people of color that go unnoticed every year is proof of that. — refinery29.com, "Issa Rae Finally Got An Emmy Nod & I Can't Stop Crying," 12 July 2018 Those recovery efforts were suspended in 2005, when the relationship between the two nations worsened over the North’s nuclear weapons program and the Pentagon became concerned about the safety of its search teams. — New York Times, "North Koreans Are No-Shows at Meeting to Discuss U.S. Soldiers’ Remains," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Prompted by the evil tech guy who butchered Maeve, Hale has had Clementine programmed with the lines of Maeve's code that enable her to control other hosts. — refinery29.com, "Westworld Season 2, Episode 9 Recap: Is [Redacted] A Host?," 18 June 2018 The first step, one that will take place in maybe 10 years, is that conceptual models of reality will be programmed by humans. — Kevin Hartnett, The Atlantic, "How a Pioneer of Machine Learning Became One of Its Sharpest Critics," 19 May 2018 This is actually a scene from the future, between Bernard and Dolores, who has been re-programed to remember nothing. — Mehera Bonner, Harper's BAZAAR, "Westworld's Season 2 Premiere Delivered Complete Chaos," 23 Apr. 2018 In the season finale of Westworld, it is revealed that Maeve's (Thandie Newton) violent host uprising in the park was actually pre-programmed. — Matt Miller, Esquire, "The Westworld Creators Just Explained a Major Mystery From the Season Finale," 27 Mar. 2017 Adeagbo’s 1999 Kentucky high school long jump record still stands today, as do her program indoor and outdoor triple jump records set at the University of Kentucky. — Chris White, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky and Eastern High track star Simidele Adeagbo made history at the Winter Olympics," 18 Feb. 2018 In 1996, Mirkin and three colleagues published a paper announcing their invention of a method for programming DNA to build nanoparticles up into macroscopic materials. — Kastalia Medrano, Newsweek, "New Class of Light-Bending Material Spun With DNA and Gold Nanoparticles Can Achieve First Real-Life Invisibility Cloak," 19 Jan. 2018 The trolley question is meant to emblematize tough decision-making for the purpose of moral deliberation; programming morality into our vehicles is a matter of deeper, almost mystical complexity. — Betsy Morais, Longreads, "The Menace and the Promise of Autonomous Vehicles," 13 June 2018 Though the auditor has largely spent his time on internal bureaucratic systems, all three said that the county auditor should be attentive to how county programs help -- or don't -- marginalized people. — Molly Harbarger, OregonLive.com, "New Multnomah County commissioner elected; Deborah Kafoury wins re-election; auditor's race heads for run-off," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'program.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.