# application

/ˌæpɫəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌæplɪkˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/application
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. formal request

noun · CEFR B1

a formal written request for a job, a place at a school, or a loan.

For teachers: a formal, typically written, request for assistance, employment, or admission to an institution.

- She spent all weekend completing her application for the marketing position.
- The admissions office received over five thousand applications for the doctoral programme, necessitating a rigorous multi-stage screening process.

Usage: Often takes the preposition 'for' followed by the goal, or 'to' followed by the institution.

### 2. software

noun · CEFR B1

a computer program designed to do a specific task, often called an 'app'.

For teachers: a software program or set of programs designed for end-users to perform specific functional tasks.

- You can download the banking application from the official store.
- The developer released a cross-platform application that synchronises user data across mobile devices and desktop workstations seamlessly.

Usage: Commonly shortened to 'app' in informal and semi-formal contexts.

### 3. putting something on

noun · CEFR B2

the act of putting a substance like paint, cream, or medicine onto a surface.

For teachers: the act of spreading or laying a substance onto a surface; also refers to the layer of substance itself.

- The instructions say the cream requires a second application after ten minutes.
- A single application of the waterproof sealant is usually sufficient to protect the timber from seasonal moisture damage.

### 4. practical use

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the practical use of an idea, rule, or discovery in a real situation.

For teachers: the practical employment or relevance of a theory, law, or principle to a specific case or circumstances.

- The new technology has many useful applications in the medical field.
- The theoretical framework developed in the first chapter finds its practical application in the case studies presented later in the report.

### 5. hard work

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of working very hard and staying focused on a task.

For teachers: sustained effort and diligent attention to a task or study.

- With enough application and practice, you can master any musical instrument.
- The tutor noted that while the student was naturally gifted, he lacked the consistent application required for advanced research.

Teaching tip: This sense is quite formal; in everyday English, speakers usually prefer 'hard work' or 'dedication'.

## Examples

- I sent my job application yesterday.
- The university received over five thousand applications for the new medical program this semester.
- The developer released a mobile application that streamlines the loan application process for small business owners, reducing the required paperwork by half.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.