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program

n. countable
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈpɹoʊˌɡɹæm// UK //pɹˈəʊɡɹæm// pro·gram Archaic General-service

n. a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do. It can also mean a planned list of events or activities.

n. a sequence of coded instructions that a computer executes to perform a specific task. Also refers to a planned series of events, items, or performances.


SIMPLE

I need to install a new program on my laptop.

CONTEXTUAL

The theater handed out a program that listed all the actors and the order of the scenes.

COMPLEX

While the government's social program aims to reduce poverty, critics argue that the underlying software program used for distribution is prone to technical errors.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French programme, from Late Latin programma (“a proclamation, edict”), from Ancient Greek πρόγραμμα (prógramma, “a written public notice, an edict”), from προγράφω (prográphō, “I set forth as a public notice”), from πρό (pró, “before”) + γράφω (gráphō, “to write”). Doublet of programma.

Usage

Spelled 'program' in American English for all senses; in British English, 'programme' is used for schedules and broadcasts, while 'program' is reserved for computing.

Idioms1 entry

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