program
gb/pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/ us/pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
A2
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Planned series of activities
A list or plan of things that will happen or be done.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a program for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'program' with 'programme', which is the British spelling.
Synonyms
schedule (Focuses more on specific times for events rather than the content or purpose.)
|
plan (More general; may not involve multiple events or activities.)
Antonyms
improvisation (Doing things without planning or preparation.)
Collocations
training program
|school program
|concert program
|government program
Themes
events
|organization
|entertainment
|time
|education
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The conference program includes several guest speakers.
- She enrolled in a fitness program to improve her health.
- The evening program features a famous jazz band.
- Our school offers a special program for gifted students.
Learner examples
- The TV program starts at eight.
- He is in a new English program.
- I like the music program on this station.
- We have a sports program after school.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
2
Computer software instructions
A set of instructions that tells a computer what to do.
Usage pattern:
install/run [a/the] program
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'program' (software) with 'app', which is a type of program but often for mobile devices.
Synonyms
application (Often refers to software designed for end users, while 'program' can be more general.)
|
software (A broader term that includes programs and other digital tools.)
Antonyms
hardware (The physical parts of a computer, as opposed to the digital instructions.)
Collocations
write a program
|run a program
|install a program
|computer program
Themes
technology
|computing
|work
|education
Examples
- He wrote a program to sort the data automatically.
- You need to install the latest program to access these features.
- This program can edit both text and images.
- The antivirus program runs in the background.
Learner examples
- I use a program to learn English.
- She made a new game program.
- This program helps me draw pictures.
- I run the program every day.
Verb
B1
action
3
Write instructions for device/system
To write or set instructions for a computer or machine.
Usage pattern:
to program [a computer/device] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'program' (verb) with 'plan', which does not involve giving digital instructions.
Synonyms
code (Informal in tech circles, focuses on the act of writing programming language.)
|
configure (Focuses on setting options rather than creating from scratch.)
Antonyms
erase (To remove all instructions from a device.)
Collocations
program a robot
|program software
|program settings
Themes
technology
|automation
|work
|education
Examples
- She programmed the thermostat to lower the heat at night.
- He learned how to program in Python last year.
- They programmed the website to display live updates.
- You can program your phone to send reminders.
Learner examples
- I can program my watch to show the date.
- He programs computers at his job.
- We will program the lights to turn on at 6 PM.
- She is learning how to program games.
Noun
A2
entity
4
Radio or TV show content
A show on TV or radio.
Synonyms
show (More informal and commonly used for entertainment media.)
Antonyms
advertisement (Commercial content instead of entertainment or informational programming.)
Collocations
TV program
|radio program
|favorite program
Themes
media
|entertainment
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- My favorite TV program is on tonight.
- The radio program covers local news and music.
- They canceled the program due to low ratings.
- The station introduced several new programs this season.
Learner examples
- I watch this TV program every day.
- That radio program plays good songs.
- This is my favorite program.
- The new program starts in one hour.
Grammar
Dictionary form
program
IPA
GB/pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
US/pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
Syllables & stress
pro - gram (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pro)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: program
- Plural: programs
Verb
- Base: program
- 3rd Person Singular: programs
- Present Participle: programing
- Past: programed
Word family
Forms
programs
noun
programing
verb
programed
verb
Core family
programming
noun B1
programmer
noun B1
Related words
programmable
adjective
reprogram
verb
Advanced or less common
programmatic
adjective
Expressions
program of study
1/pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm əv stˈʌdi/
fixed phrase
Planned academic curriculum
A list of subjects and courses you take for a degree or certificate.
Examples
- The university offers a new program of study in environmental science.
- Her program of study includes both theory and practical work.
television program
1/tˈɛləvˌɪʒən pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
Show broadcast on TV
A show that you watch on TV.
Examples
- That television program has been popular for years.
- They are filming a new television program in our city.
training program
1/tɹˈeɪnɪŋ pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
Planned skill-teaching course
A plan with lessons and activities to help people learn skills for work or sports.
Examples
- The company offers a training program for new employees.
- She joined an online training program to improve her typing speed.
computer program
1/kəmpjˈutɚ pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
technical
Set of instructions for a computer
A list of instructions that tells a computer what to do.
Examples
- This computer program helps you edit photos.
- He designed a computer program that predicts the weather.
- He wrote a computer program to calculate taxes.
- This computer program is easy to use for beginners.