Definition

1. Noun:

   • A performance or series of performances presented to the public: A scheduled presentation, often of music, theater, or speeches.
   • (Computer science) A sequence of instructions for a computer: A set of coded commands that a computer can execute to perform a specific task.
   • An integrated course of academic studies: A structured curriculum or set of courses in an educational institution.
   • A printed list of events or participants: A booklet or schedule detailing the order of acts in a performance or contestants in a sport.
   • A document stating the aims of a political group: A formal declaration of policies and principles.
   • A radio or television show: A regularly scheduled broadcast.
   • A system of projects or services for public need: An organized plan of action designed to address a social or public requirement.
   • A series of steps or goals to be accomplished: A plan or method for achieving an objective.

2. Verb:

   • To write a computer program: To create a set of instructions for a computer.
   • To arrange or schedule a plan of activities: To organize a sequence of events or items.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The concert program included works by three modern composers.
  • She is debugging a new software program.
  • He enrolled in the graduate program in linguistics.
  • Check the program to see who is performing next.
  • The party's program focused on economic reform.
  • His favorite program is a weekly science documentary.
  • The government launched a housing program for low-income families.
  • The company has a five-year program to reduce its carbon footprint.

• Verb:

  • He learned to program in Python.
  • They hired someone to program the evening's entertainment.

Advanced Usage

• "To program something into something": To set or input specific instructions or data.

  • You can program your favorite stations into the radio's memory.

• "A pilot program": A small-scale, initial trial of a project or system.

  • The school district is testing a pilot program for online learning.

Variants and Related Words

• Programmer (n): A person who writes computer programs.
• Programmatic (adj): Relating to a program, plan, or schedule.
• Programming (n): The process or job of writing computer programs; also, the scheduling of broadcast content.
• Programme (n): The British English spelling of the noun.

Synonyms

• Noun: Schedule, agenda, curriculum, plan, scheme, broadcast, show, software, application.
• Verb: Code, schedule, plan, arrange.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Program for: To create a plan or software in anticipation of a specific need or event.
  • The system was programmed for maximum efficiency.

Related Idioms

• "Get with the program": (Informal) To start cooperating or understanding what is required.
  • If you want to succeed here, you need to get with the program.

Noun

1. a performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation
   • the program lasted more than two hours
2. (computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute
   • the program required several hundred lines of code
3. an integrated course of academic studies
   • he was admitted to a new program at the university
4. an announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event
   • you can't tell the players without a program
5. a document stating the aims and principles of a political party
   • their candidate simply ignored the party platform
   • they won the election even though they offered no positive program
6. a radio or television show
   • did you see his program last night?
7. a system of projects or services intended to meet a public need
   • he proposed an elaborate program of public works
   • working mothers rely on the day care program
8. a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
   • they drew up a six-step plan
   • they discussed plans for a new bond issue

Verb

1. write a computer program
2. arrange a program of or for
   • program the 80th birthday party