pro·gram / ˈprōˌgram; -grəm/ (Brit. pro·gramme) • n. 1. a planned series of future events, items, or performances: a weekly program of films the program includes Dvorak's New World symphony. ∎  a set of related measures, events, or activities with a particular long-term aim: the nuclear power program.2. a sheet or booklet giving details of items or performers at an event or performance: a theater program.3. a presentation or item on radio or television, esp. one broadcast regularly between stated times: a nature program. ∎ dated a radio or television service or station providing a regular succession of programs on a particular frequency; a channel.4. (program) a series of coded software instructions to control the operation of a computer or other machine.• v. (-grammed, -gram·ming; or -gramed, -gram·ing) [tr.] 1. (program) provide (a computer or other machine) with coded instructions for the automatic performance of a particular task: it is a simple matter to program the computer to recognize such symbols. ∎  input (instructions for the automatic performance of a task) into a computer or other machine: simply program in your desired volume level. ∎  (often be programmed) fig. cause (a person or animal) to behave in a predetermined way: all members of a particular species are programmed to build nests in the same way.2. arrange according to a plan or schedule: we learn how to program our own lives consciously. ∎  schedule (an item) within a framework: the next stage of the treaty is programmed for 1996. ∎  broadcast (an item): the station does not program enough contemporary works.DERIVATIVES: pro·gram·ma·bil·i·ty / -əˈbilətē/ n.pro·gram·ma·ble / ˈprōˌgraməbəl; prōˈgram-/ adj.

program (software) Set of instructions that enables a computer to carry out a task. A typical computer carries out many tasks including word processing, calculating, drawing, communicating, and providing games. Programs are written in a variety of computer languages, and are usually stored on a magnetic disk. To make a computer perform a particular task, a program is loaded into the computer's ram.

program A set of statements that (after translation from programming-language form into executable form – see compiler) can be executed by a computer in order to produce a desired behavior from the computer. A procedural program gives a precise definition of the procedure to be followed by the computer system in order to obtain the required results. By contrast, a nonprocedural program specifies constraints that must be satisfied by the results that are produced but does not specify the procedure by which these results should be obtained; such a procedure must be determined by a problem-solving shell based on the defined constraints.

computer program See program