application programming interface
noun
variants
or less commonly application program interface
computing
: a set of rules that allows programmers to develop software for a particular operating system without having to be completely familiar with that operating system
To fix this problem, trustbusters have installed a provision forcing Microsoft to disclose more information about its so-called application programming interfaces, or APIs.—
Business Week
—abbreviation API
Business WeekExamples of application programming interface in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That case resulted in a 2001 court ruling that found Microsoft had violated antitrust laws and led to a settlement imposing restrictions on its business practices, including requiring the company to share its application programming interfaces with third-party companies.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
Reflexive bots are coded to plug into a community’s application programming interface.
—John Lalor, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
What’s more, the JavaScript engine used is something called Node.js, and that provides for the use of a powerful application programming interface.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
That gives the startup visibility into who is using its application programming interface, or API, and who is most active in their consumption.
—Hayden Field, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for application programming interface
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Christine Clarridge, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
Reflexive bots are coded to plug into a community’s application programming interface.
—John Lalor, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
What’s more, the JavaScript engine used is something called Node.js, and that provides for the use of a powerful application programming interface.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
That gives the startup visibility into who is using its application programming interface, or API, and who is most active in their consumption.
—Hayden Field, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for application programming interface
Cite this Entry
“Application programming interface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/application%20programming%20interface. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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