program

noun

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pro·gram | \ ˈprō-ˌgram

, -grəm

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 : 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

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

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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 With its Music For New Media program, Peabody has become one of the few schools in the country that pairs advanced training in music technology with the thoroughness of a conservatory-style education. — Elizabeth Nonemaker, baltimoresun.com, "Hopkins professor Thomas Dolby aims to help the next generation score the future," 17 Sep. 2019 That will be a little bit of a down moment in all of this.’’ Mike Jr. played high school baseball at St. John’s Prep in Danvers before playing four years for the big-time college program at Vanderbilt. — BostonGlobe.com, "“It will be the first time since 1983 that the name ‘Yastrzemski’ will be announced,’’ says Grandpa Yaz, now 80. “It’s definitely going to be emotional. To see him come into Fenway Park where I played for 23 years, to have his name announced, that will be a great thrill for me.’’," 17 Sep. 2019 Register for this free program by Thursday, Oct. 10, at 216-593-1767. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland.com, "Solon Community Center hosting Moms’ Night Out for American Cancer Society," 17 Sep. 2019 Sununu, a Republican, first announced his goal for the New Hampshire Career Academy program in January. — USA TODAY, "Fugitive pig, proverb library, sodium warnings: News from around our 50 states," 16 Sep. 2019 Proceeds will award scholarships to art students and art supplies to 13 Title One public schools being challenged for funding art programs. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "Assistance League of Houston hosts annual Celebrates Texas Art 2020," 16 Sep. 2019 Palm Beach County’s Solid Waste Authority started issuing the bins recently for a new program starting Oct. 1. — Brooke Baitinger, sun-sentinel.com, "Fuming over ‘gigantic’ 96-gallon trash cans in Palm Beach County? So are your neighbors.," 16 Sep. 2019 This is the second consecutive season Kansas has started 2-1, but even that is worth noting for a program that has won only 19% of its games during the past decade. — Matt Murschel, orlandosentinel.com, "Arizona State, Kansas State among 5 college football teams off surprising starts," 15 Sep. 2019 The challenge for offset programs has always been measuring their effectiveness. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "‘Flight shaming’ could help unleash billions in airline cash to protect the Amazon and other tropical forests," 15 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The parks emphasize programming for the many area visitors who work or attend school during the day. — cleveland.com, "Full moon hike offers brief glimpse of night programs at Cleveland Metroparks," 14 Sep. 2019 Upon booting a game, programming routines synchronized the 2600 with the television set. — David L. Craddock, Ars Technica, "How a basement hacker transformed Donkey Kong for the Atari 2600," 14 Sep. 2019 Steve Rullman’s thoughtfully programmed survey of indie-rock experimentation, Bumblefest 2019, returns to downtown West Palm Beach on Friday and Saturday, with 36 bands on six stages. — Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, "Weekend preview: Tunnel to Towers 5K, a date night on the beach and Bumblefest," 11 Sep. 2019 Despite Cannes' continued cold shoulder to Netflix and other digital platforms, Moretti spoke from the perspective of being a French theater operator and programming one of global cinema's most prestigious film competitions. — Christos Tsirbas, The Hollywood Reporter, "Cannes Programmer Urges French Exhibitors to Talk to Netflix," 6 Sep. 2019 And while festivals like Venice have programmed films by controversial filmmakers like Roman Polanski and Nate Parker, Toronto has charted a different path, making inclusivity a focal point. — Jake Coyle, USA TODAY, "At Toronto International Film Festival, audiences to feast on a fall film omnibus," 5 Sep. 2019 About 110 people work in the plant, using programmed torque wrenches on every bolt and spraying paint and bedliner by hand. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Jeep-like ATV looks like a toy — but Mahindra means business," 31 Aug. 2019 Surviving the second round of vetoes: About $6.8 million in state funding for Head Start programs that provide free pre-K, meals and other services to low-income children. — Tegan Hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska groups scramble to rehire and restart programs after funding was vetoed, then restored," 24 Aug. 2019 Commissioners on Tuesday approved spending nearly $2.5 million for the property from funds programmed this year. — Scott Huddleston, ExpressNews.com, "Sheriff taken to task on overtime at jail in downtown San Antonio," 20 Aug. 2019

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.