Program

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈpɹəʊɡɹæm/
• US enPR: prōʹgrăm, IPA: /ˈpɹoʊɡɹæm/
• Southern US enPR: prōʹgrÉ™m, IPA: /ˈpɹoʊɡɹəm/

Alternative forms

• programme see usage notes

Origin

From French programme, from Late Latin programma ("a proclamation, edict"), from Ancient Greek πρόγραμμα (programma, "a written public notice, an edict"), from προγράφω (prographō, "I set forth as a public notice"), from πρό (pro, "before") + γράφω (graphō, "I write").

Full definition of program

Noun

1. A set of structured activities.
• Our program for today’s exercise class includes swimming and jogging.
2. A leaflet listing information about a play, game or other activity.
• The program consisted of ads for restaurants and the credits of everyone connected with the play.
3. A performance of a show or other broadcast on radio or television.
• Tonight’s program was hosted by Johnny Carson.
4. (computing) A software application, or a collection of software applications, designed to perform a specific task.
• The program runs on both Linux and Microsoft Windows.
5. A particular mindset or method of doing things.
• Come on, John, why don’t you get with the program and tell him where the detonators are? – Ellis in the movie Die Hard.

Usage notes

Usage of program and programme:

US: program is the only spelling normally used.

UK: programme is used in all cases except for computer code, in which case program is generally used. Older sources may use programme for computer code.

Canada: both program and programme are used, but programme is more common.

Australia: program is endorsed by the Australian government, but programme is most common.

New Zealand: programme is favoured by New Zealand dictionaries, and is endorsed by government usage; program is rarely seen.

Synonyms

• leaflet: playbill (for a play)
• software application: application

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To enter a program or other instructions into (a computer or other electronic device) to instruct it to do a particular task.
• He programmed the DVR to record his favorite show.
2. (transitive) To develop (software) by writing program code.I programmed a small game as a demonstration.
3. (transitive) To put together the schedule of an event.
• Mary will program Tuesday’s festivities.
4. (transitive) To cause to automatically behave in a particular way.
• The lab rat was programmed to press the lever when the bell rang.

Related terms

• programmable
• programmer