SKIP TO CONTENT

application

/ˈæpləˌkeɪʃən/

/æplɪˈkeɪʃən/

Other forms: applications

An application is a request for a job, assistance or admission to a school. Colleges might want you to submit your application by Dec. 1, but they won't let you know if you've been accepted until sometime in April.

An application is also a form you fill out for something. If you need a handicapped parking permit, you and your doctor must first fill out an application and then submit it in the town hall. An application is also a computer program designed to perform a task or solve a problem. If you didn't get enough sleep last night, the careful application of makeup can mask the dark circles under your eyes.

Definitions of application
  1. noun
    the action of putting something into operation
    “the application of maximum thrust”
    “massage has far-reaching medical applications
    “the application of indexes to tables of data”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    action
    something done (usually as opposed to something said)
  2. noun
    the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
    “he advocated the application of statistics to the problem”
    “a novel application of electronics to medical diagnosis”
    synonyms: practical application
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 9 types...
    hide 9 types...
    misapplication
    wrong use or application
    engineering, technology
    the practical application of science to commerce or industry
    aeronautical engineering
    the activity of designing and constructing aircraft
    automotive engineering, automotive technology
    the activity of designing and constructing automobiles
    chemical engineering
    the activity of applying chemistry to the solution of practical problems
    communications technology
    the activity of designing and constructing and maintaining communication systems
    computer technology
    the activity of designing and constructing and programming computers
    high tech, high technology
    highly advanced technological development (especially in electronics)
    rail technology, railroading
    the activity of designing and constructing and operating railroads
    type of:
    employment, exercise, usage, use, utilisation, utilization
    the act of using
  3. noun
    a diligent effort
    “it is a job requiring serious application
    synonyms: diligence
    see moresee less
    type of:
    effort, elbow grease, exertion, sweat, travail
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
  4. noun
    liquid preparation having a soothing or antiseptic or medicinal action when applied to the skin
    synonyms: lotion
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 7 types...
    hide 7 types...
    black lotion, blackwash
    a mixture of calomel and limewater that is used on syphilitic sores
    calamine lotion
    a lotion consisting of a liquid preparation containing calamine; used to treat itching or mild skin irritations
    collyrium, eye-lotion, eyewash
    lotion consisting of a solution used as a cleanser for the eyes
    embrocation, liniment
    a medicinal liquid that is rubbed into the skin to relieve muscular stiffness and pain
    menthol
    a lotion containing menthol which gives it the smell of mint
    rubbing alcohol
    lotion consisting of a poisonous solution of isopropyl alcohol or denatured ethanol alcohol for external use
    witch hazel, wych hazel
    lotion consisting of an astringent alcoholic solution containing an extract from the witch hazel plant
    type of:
    curative, cure, remedy, therapeutic
    a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
  5. noun
    the work of applying something
    “the doctor prescribed a topical application of iodine”
    “a complete bleach requires several applications
    synonyms: coating, covering
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 23 types...
    hide 23 types...
    anointing, anointment
    the act of applying oil or an oily liquid
    fumigation
    the application of a gas or smoke to something for the purpose of disinfecting it
    foliation
    the work of coating glass with metal foil
    galvanisation, galvanization
    either the work of covering with metal by the use of a galvanic current or the coating of iron with zinc to protect it from rusting
    lubrication
    an application of a lubricant to something
    pavage, paving
    the act of applying paving materials to an area
    painting
    the act of applying paint to a surface
    spraying
    the application of a liquid in the form of small particles ejected from a sprayer
    tin-plating, tinning
    the application of a protective layer of tin
    tinning
    the application of a thin layer of soft solder to the ends of wires before soldering them
    paperhanging, papering
    the application of wallpaper
    daubing, plastering
    the application of plaster
    plating
    the application of a thin coat of metal (as by electrolysis)
    scumble
    the application of very thin coat of color over the surface of a picture
    tiling
    the application of tiles to cover a surface
    waxing
    the application of wax to a surface
    facing, lining
    providing something with a surface of a different material
    spray painting
    applying paint with a sprayer
    spatter, spattering, splash, splashing, splattering
    the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface
    finger-painting
    painting by using the fingers to spread the paint
    pargeting, pargetting
    ornamental plastering
    babbitting
    lining a surface or bearing with Babbitt metal
    inunction, unction
    anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
    type of:
    manual labor, manual labour
    labor done with the hands
  6. noun
    a verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school
    “December 31 is the deadline for applications
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 5 types...
    hide 5 types...
    job application
    an application for a job
    credit application
    an application for a line of credit
    loan application
    an application to borrow money
    patent application
    an application for sole rights to an invention
    mortgage application
    an application for a mortgage loan
    type of:
    petition, postulation, request
    a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
  7. noun
    a program that gives a computer instructions that provide the user with tools to accomplish a task
    “he has tried several different word processing applications
    synonyms: application program, applications programme
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 11 types...
    hide 11 types...
    active application
    an application that is currently running and in the foreground
    applet
    a Java application; an application program that uses the client's web browser to provide a user interface
    frame
    an application that divides the user's display into two or more windows that can be scrolled independently
    browser, web browser
    a program used to view HTML documents
    natural language processing application, natural language processor
    an application program that deals with natural language text
    job
    (computer science) a program application that may consist of several steps but is a single logical unit
    word processing system, word processor
    an application that provides the user with tools needed to write and edit and format text and to send it to a printer
    editor, editor program
    (computer science) a program designed to perform such editorial functions as rearrangement or modification or deletion of data
    disambiguator
    (computer science) a natural language processing application that tries to determine the intended meaning of a word or phrase by examining the linguistic context in which it is used
    linkage editor
    an editor program that creates one module from several by resolving cross-references among the modules
    text editor
    (computer science) an application that can be used to create and view and edit text files
    type of:
    computer program, computer programme, program, programme
    (computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute
Pronunciation
US

/ˈæpləˌkeɪʃən/

UK

/æplɪˈkeɪʃən/

Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘application'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Look up application for the last time

Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.

VocabTrainer - Vocabulary.com's Vocabulary Trainer