English Reference

Word

web application

Definition

compound. a computer program that you use through a web browser instead of installing it on your computer. You use these every day for things like checking email, social media, or online banking.

compound. a software program stored on a remote server and delivered over the internet through a browser interface. Unlike native software, it does not require local installation and relies on client-server architecture to process user requests.

Examples

“Google Docs is a popular web application for writing.”

“The company moved its payroll system to a web application so employees could access their payslips from any device.”

“Modern web applications leverage asynchronous data transfers to provide a seamless user experience that mimics the responsiveness of locally installed desktop software.”

Examples

simple

“Google Docs is a popular web application for writing.”

contextual

“The company moved its payroll system to a web application so employees could access their payslips from any device.”

complex

“Modern web applications leverage asynchronous data transfers to provide a seamless user experience that mimics the responsiveness of locally installed desktop software.”

Usage

Often shortened to 'web app' in informal or technical contexts.

Etymology

A compound formed from the noun web, referring to the World Wide Web, and application, a term for functional software. The phrase gained prominence in the late 1990s as browser-based services began to replace local software installations.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Domain

Web Development

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/web-application

English Reference