programmer

noun

pro·​gram·​mer ˈprō-ˌgra-mər How to pronounce programmer (audio)
-grə-
variants or less commonly programer
: one that programs: such as
a
: a person who prepares and tests programs for devices (such as computers)
b
: one that programs a mechanism
c
: one that prepares an instructional program
d
: a person who plans or prepares entertainment programs
a television programmer

Examples of programmer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The large language models that programmers train to identify faces are black boxes. Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025 And even for complex coding projects like the ones studied, the researchers are also optimistic that further refinement of AI tools could lead to future efficiency gains for programmers. ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025 So instead, programmers often rely on things called hash functions, which swirl data around and extract some small portion in a way that looks random. Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2025 Meanwhile, the script also introduces Richard Pryor, who, running out of his unemployment benefits, takes a job as a computer programmer, and in no time has figured a way to beat the machine. Arthur Knight, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for programmer

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of programmer was in 1875

Cite this Entry

“Programmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/programmer. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

programmer

noun
pro·​gram·​mer
variants also programer
ˈprō-ˌgram-ər How to pronounce programmer (audio)
-grə-mər
: a person who writes computer programs

More from Merriam-Webster on programmer

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