pro·gram
ˈprō-ˌgram 
-grəm
-grəm
1
[Late Latin programma, from Greek]
: a public notice
2
a
: a brief usually printed outline of the order to be followed, of the features to be presented, and 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
5
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 process, trait, or behavior
… a mouse in which a tiny but crucial bit of the genetic program has been eliminated.—
Bruce Fellman
Bruce Fellman
also
: a process, trait, or 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 program, which 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 mechanism, such 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 thinking, behavior, or operations of as if by computer programming
children are programmed into violence—Lisa A. Richette
Lisa A. RichetteExamples 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
Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
He was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, but currently does not have lawful status in the country, officials said.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
When OpenAI first released ChatGPT in late 2022, the bot was programmed to flatly refuse to answer questions about self-harm, prioritizing safety over keeping users engaged with the product, said the Raines’ lawsuit.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for program
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.
Noun
The school fired Kelly after the Tigers' 49-25 loss to the undefeated Texas A&M Aggies in Death Valley, marking the program's third loss in the last four games.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
He was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, but currently does not have lawful status in the country, officials said.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
The more difficult part is programming the skeletons.
—Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
When OpenAI first released ChatGPT in late 2022, the bot was programmed to flatly refuse to answer questions about self-harm, prioritizing safety over keeping users engaged with the product, said the Raines’ lawsuit.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for program
Cite this Entry
“Program.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/program. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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 process, trait, or 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share