pro·gram
ˈprō-ˌgram 
-grəm
-grəm
1
[Late Latin programmafrom Greek]
: a public notice
2
a
: a brief usually printed outline of the order to be followedof the features to be presentedand 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
6
a
: a sequence of coded instructions that can be inserted into a mechanism (such as a computer)
b
dated
: a complete plan for solving a problem by the use of a mechanism (such as a computer) that includes both instructions to be inserted into the mechanism and plans for human activities such as interpreting output
c
: the genes or sequences of DNA or RNA that are part of an organism or cell and encode or determine a processtraitor behavior
… a mouse in which a tiny but crucial bit of the genetic program has been eliminated.—
Bruce Fellman
Bruce Fellman
also
: a processtraitor behavior determined by or as if by the genetic material of an organism
Orb webs are marvels of geometry and construction. They are built according to a complex behavioral programwhich is highly flexible in some respects and very precise in others. —Michael H. Robinson
Michael H. Robinson
pro·gram
ˈprō-ˌgram
-grəm
variants
or less commonly programme
programmed or programed; programming or programing
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 mechanismsuch as a computer) : to provide with a program
3
a
: to insert a program for (a particular action) into or as if into a mechanism (such as a computer)
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 thinkingbehavioror operations of as if by computer programming
We are socially programmed to believe that "more is better."—Judith Johnson
Judith JohnsonExamples of program in a Sentence
Noun
a program of regular dental checkups
the program will tell us the scheduled order of musical numbers
Verb
He programmed the computer to calculate his monthly expenses and earnings.
She is learning how to program in school.
Can you help me program my cell phone?
Recent Examples on the Web
Jackson ThompsonFOXNews.com7 Jan. 2026
The project launches on Kickstarter on January 6 through a pre-order interest program.
—Aamir KhollamInteresting Engineering7 Jan. 2026
New Atlas6 Jan. 2026
The physical sequence to make a pattern was first programmed by craftsmen using threads or bamboo sticks.
—Ameya PalejaInteresting Engineering2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for program
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Noun
University of Michigan star quarterback Bryce Underwood will return to the program for his sophomore season despite the recent scandal involving former head coach Sherrone Moore.
—Jackson ThompsonFOXNews.com7 Jan. 2026
The project launches on Kickstarter on January 6 through a pre-order interest program.
—Aamir KhollamInteresting Engineering7 Jan. 2026
Verb
What's especially neat is how the Smart Play system doesn't involve any screens – neither in the hardware sense like a display on the bricksnor in the software sense of having to program or load up content for the Bricks.
—New Atlas6 Jan. 2026
The physical sequence to make a pattern was first programmed by craftsmen using threads or bamboo sticks.
—Ameya PalejaInteresting Engineering2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for program
Cite this Entry
“Program.” Merriam-Webster.com DictionaryMerriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/program. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
program
1 of 2 noun
pro·gram
ˈprō-ˌgram
-grəm
-grəm
1
: a brief usually written outline describing a presentation (as of a concert or play)
2
: the performance of a program
received a trophy at the awards program
especially
: a performance that is broadcast
3
: a plan of action
a program of regular dental checkups
a political program
4
: a set of step-by-step instructions that tell a computer to do something with data
program
2 of 2 verb
programmed or programed
-ˌgramd,
-grəmd
; programming or programing
1
: to provide with a program
program a computer
2
: to direct the thinking or behavior of (someone) as if by a computer program
he's been programmed to believe he can succeed if he tries
Medical Definition
program
1 of 2 noun
pro·gram
variants
or chiefly British programme
: the genes or sequences of DNA or RNA that are part of an organism or cell and encode or determine a processtraitor behavior
program
2 of 2 transitive verb
variants
or chiefly British programme
programmed or programed; programming or programing
1
: to code in an organism's program
2
: to provide with a biological program
cells programmed to synthesize hemoglobin
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