First Known Use: 1633
Dictionary
1program
noun pro·gram \ˈprō-ˌgram, -grəm\
: a plan of things that are done in order to achieve a specific result
: a set of instructions that tell a computer what to do
: a thin book or a piece of paper that gives information about a concert, play, sports game, etc.
Full Definition of PROGRAM
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
5
6
a : a plan for the programming of a mechanism (as a computer) b : a sequence of coded instructions that can be inserted into a mechanism (as a computer) c : a sequence of coded instructions (as genes or behavioral responses) that is part of an organism
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Origin of PROGRAM
French programme agenda, public notice, from Greek programma, from prographein to write before, from pro- before + graphein to write — more at carve
2program
verb
: to give (a computer) a set of instructions to perform a particular action : to create a program for (a computer)
: to give (a machine) a set of instructions to perform a particular action
: to make (a person or animal) behave or think in a particular way
programmed or programedprogram·ming or program·ing
Full Definition of PROGRAM
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) : provide with a program
3
a : to insert a program for (a particular action) into or as if into a mechanism 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>
— pro·gram·ma·bil·i·ty \(ˌ)prō-ˌgra-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— pro·gram·ma·ble \ˈprō-ˌgra-mə-bəl\ adjective or noun
See program defined for English-language learners
Variants of PROGRAM
program also programme
First Known Use of PROGRAM
1896
PROGRAM Defined for Kids
1program
noun pro·gram \ˈprō-ˌgram, -grəm\
Definition of PROGRAM for Kids
1
: a brief statement or written outline (as of a concert, play, ceremony, or religious service)
2
: performance 2 <a television program>
3
: a plan of action <… this little town had the most successful school lunch program in the state. — Andrew Clements, Frindle>
4
: a set of step-by-step instructions that tell a computer to do something with data
2program
verb
pro·grammed \ˈprō-ˌgramd, -grəmd\pro·gram·ming
Definition of PROGRAM for Kids
: to give (a computer) a set of instructions : provide with a program
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