program
program — noun
1. Written commands in a programming language that tell a machine what operations t
Written commands in a programming language that tell a machine what operations to carry out — for example, editing photos, navigating a route, or sorting files.
Kemi wrote a short program that sorts her photos by the date they were taken.
Renata installed a free editing program on her laptop before the trip to Japan.
collocation: install / run / write a program
The navigation program on Théo's phone found a faster route through the city.
Tuan had to restart his computer when the accounting program froze during payroll.
noun + noun: computer / accounting / navigation program
A well-written program helps the hospital track patient appointments more efficiently.
- write a program
- install a program
- run a program
- computer program
- software program
- anti-virus program
- software
broader term that includes programs and the data they use; you install software, but you write a program
- application
refers to a program designed for a specific user task, like a word processor or a web browser
- app
short for application, commonly used for mobile or small-purpose programs
Grammar Patterns
program + noun modifier (computer / anti-virus / photo-editing)
Usage Note
This is the most common sense of 'program' for entry-level learners and is the only sense with a computing domain.
Common Mistakes
2. The spelling used in American and Australian English for all meanings where Brit
The spelling used in American and Australian English for all meanings where British English uses 'programme' — covering broadcasts, plans, courses, and theater booklets.
In the US, the spelling 'program' is used for both computer software and television shows.
Australian students write 'program' the same way Americans do, not 'programme'.
variety note: US and Australian spelling
A British publisher might print 'training programme' while an American one writes 'training program'.
The spelling 'program' is standard in Canada, just like in the United States.
Usage Note
This is not a separate meaning — it is a spelling difference. Learners studying British English should be aware that 'programme' is the UK spelling for non-computing senses.
Common Mistakes
3. A broadcast on television or radio that people watch or listen to, such as a new
A broadcast on television or radio that people watch or listen to, such as a news broadcast, a talk show, a drama series, or a documentary.
Salma watches a cooking program every Saturday morning to learn new recipes.
The news program on channel five reported the earthquake within minutes of the event.
collocation: news program / cooking program / radio program
Anthony's favorite radio program plays jazz music from the 1950s every weekday evening.
Gita downloaded a podcast of last week's science program to listen to at the gym.
preposition: program on / about [topic]
Diya watches a science program about volcanoes every Friday evening with her older brother.
- watch a program
- TV program
- radio program
- news program
- cooking program
Grammar Patterns
program on something
program about something
Usage Note
For broadcast content, British English uses 'programme' (UK spelling). This sense overlaps with 'show' but 'program' sounds slightly more formal and is often used for scheduled broadcasts.
Common Mistakes
4. A planned set of activities or services designed to achieve a particular goal —
A planned set of activities or services designed to achieve a particular goal — for example, a recycling program to reduce waste or a training program to improve skills.
The city launched a recycling program that provides free bins to every household.
collocation: launch / set up a program
Xiu enrolled in a training program to improve her public speaking skills at work.
The hospital's wellness program offers free health checks twice a year to all staff.
Alessia helped design a community program that teaches coding to local teenagers.
pattern: program to do something / program for [people]
The government announced a new housing program for low-income families in Taipei.
- launch a program
- set up a program
- training program
- housing program
- recycling program
- development program
- plan
more general and less formal than 'program'; a plan can be for anything from a daily schedule to a business strategy
- scheme
British English; often used for government or organized projects, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation
- initiative
a new plan or process to achieve a goal; sounds more proactive and often used in business or politics
Grammar Patterns
program for somebody
program of something
program to do something
Common Mistakes
5. A structured series of courses and academic requirements that a student complete
A structured series of courses and academic requirements that a student completes to earn a degree, diploma, or certificate at a college or university.
Michael is applying to the engineering program at the University of Toronto.
collocation: apply to / enroll in a program
The business program at this college requires students to take two accounting courses.
Hugo graduated from the nursing program last spring and now works at a local clinic.
Kemi chose the design program because it offered more hands-on studio time than others.
preposition: program in [subject area]
Gita completed a three-year master's program in environmental science at a university in Japan.
- degree program
- program in
- enroll in a program
- graduate from a program
- engineering program
- business program
- course of study
more formal and descriptive; used in academic writing
- curriculum
the content taught in a program; a curriculum is what you study, a program is the structure around it
- degree program
specific to university degrees; clarifies that the program leads to a formal qualification
Grammar Patterns
program in something
Usage Note
This sense is common in North American English. In British English, 'course' or 'degree course' is more typical. 'Program' here implies a full curriculum leading to a qualification.
Common Mistakes
6. A printed booklet or leaflet given to audience members at a performance, concert
A printed booklet or leaflet given to audience members at a performance, concert, sports match, or other event that lists the order of items, participants, and other information.
The concert program listed each piece of music and the names of the performers.
collocation: concert / theater / event program
Théo bought a program at the theater to read about the actors.
The Olympic opening ceremony program contained photos of all the competing teams.
Renata kept the program from the ballet as a souvenir of the evening performance.
grammar: program of / for / from [event]
Salma checked the race program to find out when her favorite runner would compete.
- concert program
- theater program
- race program
- event program
- buy a program
- check the program
Grammar Patterns
program of something
program for something
get with the program
idiomThis phrase tells someone to change their behavior and start doing what is expected.
Maya told her brother to get with the program and start studying.
If you want to pass the class, you need to get with the program.
program — verb
1. To write a set of instructions in a computer language that tells a machine or de
To write a set of instructions in a computer language that tells a machine or device how to perform a particular task — for example, programming a robot to follow a line or a smart light to turn on at sunset.
Hugo programmed the robot to follow a black line drawn on the classroom floor.
pattern: program + [machine] + to + [infinitive]
Salma spent the weekend programming a simple game for her younger brother to play.
The software engineer programmed the system to send automatic reminders for appointments.
Gabriel is learning to program in Python at a weekend coding boot camp in Taipei.
grammar: program in [language]
Anthony programmed his new smart light to turn on at sunset every evening automatically.
- program a computer
- program a robot
- program a device
- program in Python
- learn to program
- code
more informal; 'code' can be used as a verb without an object ('I like to code')
- write software
broader term that includes planning and testing, not just writing code
Grammar Patterns
program + noun + to + infinitive
program + noun phrase
Usage Note
Frequently used with a to-infinitive clause describing the action the machine is told to perform. The object can be a computer, robot, device, or smart appliance.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- programmernounA2
- programmingnounA2
- programmableadjectiveB1
- programmaticadjectiveC1
- reprogramverbB2
- programmenounB1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
These terms are closely related but used differently. 'Software' is the broadest term, covering all programs and data on a computer — you buy software, but you write a program. 'Application' (or 'app' for short) refers to a program designed for a specific user-facing task: a photo editor is an application, but the calculator app on your phone is also one. 'Code' is the raw set of instructions that programmers write before it becomes a runnable program. For example: 'Kemi wrote the code for a new application that helps users edit photos', but 'The software on her computer includes that application as part of its package.' If you are learning entry-level computing vocabulary, start with 'program' for the finished product and 'code' for the text that programmers write.
Common collocations
Nouns
- computer
- software
- training
- degree
- research
- development
Adverbs
- carefully
- properly
- specially
Phrases
- write a program
- run a program
- install a program
- launch a program
- enroll in a program
- program a computer
- program in Python
Prepositions
- for
- in
- on
- about
Etymology
The word 'program' comes from Greek 'programma', which meant a public notice written before an event. It entered English in the 1600s through Latin and French, first used for written notices and later for schedules of events. The modern computing sense began in the 1940s when programmers started writing instructions for early electronic computers.