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Meaning & use

programming

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈprəʊɡræmɪŋ/
US/ˈproʊɡræmɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. noununcountablecomputing

    The activity or skill of writing instructions that a computer can follow.

    Grammar: Uncountable, so it has no plural and takes a singular verb: Programming is hard.

    Patterns

    • learn programming
    • do programming
    • programming language
    • programming skills

    He learned programming by building small games in his free time.

    Good programming saves time later when you need to change the code.

    The course covers programming, databases, and web design.

  2. noununcountable

    The shows that a television or radio station chooses to broadcast and when it broadcasts them.

    Grammar: Uncountable in this sense too: The programming is aimed at young viewers.

    Patterns

    • children's programming
    • prime-time programming
    • news programming
    • schedule programming

    The channel's evening programming is mostly documentaries.

    Parents complained about the violence in children's programming.

    The station changed its programming to attract younger listeners.

Common combinations

computer programming
She studied computer programming at college.
programming language
Python is a popular programming language for beginners.
programming skills
Employers are looking for strong programming skills.
television programming
Television programming has changed a lot since streaming began.
prime-time programming
The network invests heavily in prime-time programming.

Synonyms and how they differ

coding
Informal and close in meaning, but often refers to the act of writing code rather than the whole field.
broadcasting
Only fits the television/radio sense; it means sending out programs, not choosing them.
scheduling
Focuses on the timing of shows, while programming also includes choosing what to show.

Word family

program noun
A set of instructions for a computer, or a show on TV or radio.
programmer noun
A person whose job is writing computer programs.
program verb
To write instructions for a computer or set a machine to work at a certain time.
programmable adjective
Able to be given new instructions by a user.

Commonly confused: programming or program? programming or programmer?

programming vs program

A program is the thing you write or watch; programming is the activity of writing it or choosing it.

programming vs programmer

A programmer is the person; programming is the work that person does.

Practice

The children's ______ on this channel is broadcast every morning at seven.

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