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
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Altman told early recruits that OpenAI would remain a pure nonprofit, and programmers took significant pay cuts to work there. Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 But programmers Eugene Jarvis and Larry DeMar were confident that Defender could sell well, and the gamble paid off massively. Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2026 Teacher Teresa Rosario, a former computer programmer and TCA's Upper School Math and Engineering instructor, sees these projects as more than just assignments. Lauren Crawford, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 However, programmers have been trying to find ways to keep leaked source code up. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for programmer

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of programmer was in 1875

Cite this Entry

“Programmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/programmer. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.

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

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