programmer

noun

pro·​gram·​mer ˈprō-ˌgra-mər How to pronounce programmer (audio)
-grə-
variants or less commonly programer
: one that programs: such as
a
: a person who prepares and tests programs for devices (such as computers)
b
: one that programs a mechanism
c
: one that prepares an instructional program
d
: a person who plans or prepares entertainment programs
a television programmer

Examples of programmer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But much of China’s data and cybersecurity work has been contracted out to smaller subcontractors with novice programmers, leading to poor digital practices and large leaks of data. Associated Press, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 Overall, the state’s information and business and professional services sector, which includes high-paying computer programmers and engineers, was down more than 105,000 jobs in January compared with a year earlier. Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 While a Ye record would historically yielded quick arrivals on multiple radio charts, the artist’s recent string of hate speech and antisemitic remarks almost certainly caused programmers to tread slowly into playing any new material. Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Even so, the episode with the legendary programmer John Carmack has an unhinged director’s-cut feel to it. Sheon Han, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024 This act of collegial generosity coincided with microprocessor revolution, so that professors, budding programmers and emerging computer companies had a free, easy-to-use language to utilize. Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 But a maker—say, a programmer or writer—needs at least half a day to get real work done. Steve Mollman, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024 By some estimates, generative A.I. can increase the productivity of programmers by twenty to thirty per cent or more. Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 But once the streaming era hit and started stealing some of radio’s time spent listening, terrestrial programmers began reevaluating their product to discover what differentiates it from streaming. Tom Roland, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2024

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

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of programmer was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near programmer

Cite this Entry

“Programmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/programmer. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

programmer

noun
pro·​gram·​mer
variants also programer
ˈprō-ˌgram-ər How to pronounce programmer (audio)
-grə-mər
: a person who writes computer programs

More from Merriam-Webster on programmer

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