DictionaryAI

programme

SayPROH-gram/ˈpɹəʊɡɹæm//ˈpɹoʊˌɡɹæm/

Pluralprogrammes

Verbprogrammes, programming, programmed

US spellingprogram

10 meanings of programme

Practice

  1. 1
    set of activitiesnoun
    A planned set of activities, or a plan for what to do.

    The summer programme at the leisure centre includes swimming and tennis.

    Our school has a new reading programme for younger pupils.

    UsageSay a programme of things to do. For computers, write program.

  2. 2
    broadcast shownoun
    A show on television or the radio.

    My favourite programme is on at seven o'clock.

    We watched a programme about sharks last night.

    UsageSay a programme is on TV or on the radio.

    Note
  3. 3
    university coursenouncountable
    A course you follow at a university or college to study a subject.

    My sister has just started a nursing programme at the local college.

    The programme takes three years, and the last one is spent on placement.

    UsageSay a programme in a subject, at a college.

    Similarcourse

  4. 4
    printed leafletnoun
    A small printed paper that tells you about a play, a match or a show.

    We bought a programme before the concert started.

    Dad keeps all his old football programmes in a box under the bed.

  5. 5
    train to reactverbtransitive
    To make someone or something act in a certain way without thinking.

    Months of training programmed the dog to sit at the sound of a whistle.

    Adverts try to programme us to want new things all the time.

    UsageSay programme someone to do something.

  6. 6
    verbtransitive
    To decide what will happen at an event, or what a TV or radio station will broadcast, and at what time.

    Our teacher is going to programme the whole sports day.

    She programmed the school fair so that every class had a turn on stage.

  7. 7
    verbtransitive
    To give a machine instructions so that it does a job by itself.

    Can you programme the heating to come on at six?

    I programmed the oven to start cooking before we got home.

    Similarset, configure

Less common meanings

  1. 8
    noun
    The main aims that a person or group, often a political party, wants to reach.

    The party's programme promises more money for schools.

    Many voters liked the Greens' programme at the last election.

    Note
  2. 9
    nouncolloquial
    A certain way of thinking or of doing things.

    You need to get with the programme and start answering your emails.

    Everyone else in the office has got with the programme except Dave.

    UsageMost often get with the programme: an impatient way to tell someone to keep up.

    Note
  3. 10
    track listnoun
    A list of tracks you choose to play, in the order you want.

    I set up a programme of my favourite songs on the CD player.

    On the old CD player, you could make a programme of your favourite tracks.

    Note

Used only in American English, spelled program: a computer program; to write software.

Practice

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Origin

From French, from a Greek word for a written public notice, from "before" and "write".

Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 3 facts