program

Etymology

From French programme, from Late Latin programma (“a proclamation, edict”), from Ancient Greek πρόγραμμα (prógramma, “a written public notice, an edict”), from προγράφω (prográphō, “I set forth as a public notice”), from πρό (pró, “before”) + γράφω (gráphō, “I write”). Doublet of programma.

noun

1. A set of structured activities.
   Our program for today’s exercise class includes swimming and jogging.
2. A leaflet listing information about a play, game or other activity.
   The program consisted of ads for restaurants and the credits of everyone connected with the play.
3. (politics) A set of principle goals which are supported by a political party or individual candidate
4. (broadcasting) A performance of a show or other broadcast on radio or television.
   Tonight’s program was hosted by Johnny Carson.
5. (computing) A software application, or a collection of software applications, designed to perform a specific task.
   The program runs on both Linux and Microsoft Windows.
6. (especially in the phrase "get with the program") A particular mindset or method of doing things.
   Ellis: Come on, John, why don’t you get with the program and tell him where the detonators are? 1988, Die Hard
7. (music, computing) A custom tracklist.
   program playback playing tracks in a custom order

verb

1. (transitive) To enter a program or other instructions into (a computer or other electronic device) to instruct it to do a particular task.
   He programmed the DVR to record his favorite show.
2. (transitive) To develop (software) by writing program code.
   I programmed a small game as a demonstration.
3. (transitive) To put together the schedule of an event.
   Mary will program Tuesday’s festivities.
4. (broadcasting) To schedule the programming; to determine what will be broadcast.
   We program for special audience groups, too, as shown by our Mexican language program each Sunday morning. 1956, United States. Congress. Senate, Hearings, volume 5, page 2586
5. (transitive) To cause to automatically behave in a particular way.
   The lab rat was programmed to press the lever when the bell rang.