programming language
Americannoun
noun
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An artificial language used to write instructions that can be translated into machine language and then executed by a computer. English and other natural languages are not used as programming languages because they cannot be easily translated into machine language.
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◆ A compiled language is a language in which the set of instructions (or code) written by the programmer is converted into machine language by special software called a compiler prior to being executed. C++ and SmallTalk are examples of compiled languages.
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◆ An interpreted language is a language in which the set of instructions (or code) written by the programmer is converted into machine language by special software called a compiler prior to being executed. Most scripting and macro languages are interpreted languages.
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See also program
Etymology
Origin of programming language
First recorded in 1955–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At Bell, he helped write an important early computer programming language, Snobol.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026
The programming language, which was first released in 1960, runs 95% of ATM transactions in the U.S., according to Anthropic’s blog post.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 23, 2026
Tech YouTuber Dave Eddy posted a video on Monday showing his followers how to use the Epstein files to download a reference manual for the programming language Bash.
From Slate ● Feb. 3, 2026
Amid everyone else’s AI battle, Apple created its Private Cloud Compute: open-source server software written in Apple’s programming language, running on Apple servers that sport Apple chips.
From Barron's ● Dec. 5, 2025
Not only did it involve an expert's command of Lisp, a programming language built specifically for AI applications, but it also required an understanding of how a human might approach the same task.
From Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software by Williams, Sam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.