program

1 of 2

noun

pro·​gram ˈprō-ˌgram  -grəm 

1

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

2

a

: 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

6

a

: 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

2 of 2

verb

pro·​gram ˈprō-ˌgram 

-grəm

variants or less commonly programme

programmed or programed; programming or programing

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

3

a

: 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

We are socially programmed to believe that "more is better."

—Judith Johnson

programmability

(ˌ)prō-ˌgra-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

programmable

ˈprō-ˌgra-mə-bəl 

adjective or noun

Synonyms of program

Noun

• schedule
• agenda
• calendar

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

City spokesman Joe Rubino said license applications from retail outlets won’t be accepted for a couple of months as the city works to stand up the new program. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026

Using grocery store and credit card rewards programs can also lead to discounts at the pump. —Keith Laing, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Verb

Children’s books make up two-thirds of the materials circulated through the library and attendance for children’s programs surpasses programming for all other audiences, Dorfman said. —Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

The chatbot is programmed with a tight script. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French programme agenda, public notice, from Greek programma, from prographein to write before, from pro- before + graphein to write — more at carve

First Known Use

Noun

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing program

• application program interface
• get with the program
• pre-program
• program director
• program music
• program trading
• work-study program

Rhymes for program

• abram
• ashram
• begam
• buckram
• doorjamb
• exam
• goddam
• grandam
• priam
• programme
• wolfram
• abraham

Kids Definition

program

1 of 2 noun

pro·​gram ˈprō-ˌgram  -grəm 

1

: a brief usually written outline describing a presentation (as of a concert or play)

2

: the performance of a program

received a trophy at the awards program

especially : a performance that is broadcast

3

: a plan of action

a program of regular dental checkups

a political program

4

: a set of step-by-step instructions that tell a computer to do something with data

program

2 of 2 verb

programmed or programed

-ˌgramd, 

-grəmd

; programming or programing

1

: to provide with a program

program a computer

2

: to direct the thinking or behavior of (someone) as if by a computer program

he's been programmed to believe he can succeed if he tries

programmable

ˈprō-ˌgram-ə-bəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

program

1 of 2 noun

pro·​gram

variants or chiefly British programme

ˈprō-ˌgram  -grəm 

: 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

program

2 of 2 transitive verb

variants or chiefly British programme

programmed or programed; programming or programing

1

: to code in an organism's program

2

: to provide with a biological program

cells programmed to synthesize hemoglobin