Program vs. Programme: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Program" is primarily used in American English to refer to a set of activities or a software code, while "Programme" is the British English equivalent used in similar contexts.
Key Differences
Both "Program" and "Programme" originated from the Greek word "programma," which means a written notice. "Program" is the preferred spelling in American English, while "Programme" is used in British English. Both words convey similar meanings but differ in regional usage.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
In American English, "Program" is used in all contexts, including computing and entertainment. In British English, "Programme" is used when referring to a television show, a planned series of events, or a booklet outlining these events. However, even in British English, "Program" is used when referring to computer software.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
The adaptation of "Program" in American English signifies a broader evolution in language simplification, where extraneous letters are often dropped. "Programme," retaining its original form in British English, reflects a more traditional approach to language.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
With the global influence of American media and technology, "Program" is becoming more universally recognized, especially in the context of software and online content. "Programme" still holds strong in British-influenced regions for non-technological references.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Usage in Computing
Always "Program" for software code
"Program" for software, not "Programme"
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Nov 21, 2023
Usage in Entertainment
"Program" for TV shows, events
"Programme" for TV shows, events
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Nov 21, 2023
Usage in Official Documents
"Program" for plans, agendas
"Programme" for plans, agendas
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Nov 21, 2023
Adaptation and Globalization
More adaptive to global language changes
More traditional, less influenced globally
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Nov 21, 2023
Program and Programme Definitions
Program
A planned sequence of activities or performances.
The theater's program includes several Broadway plays.
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Nov 16, 2023
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Programme
A lineup of activities or performances.
The festival's programme features artists from around the world.
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Nov 16, 2023
Program
Material prepared for television or radio.
My favorite program airs tonight at 8 PM.
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Nov 16, 2023
Programme
A printed schedule or outline of events.
The concert programme includes notes about the composers.
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Nov 16, 2023
Program
A structured course of study.
She enrolled in a graduate program in psychology.
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Nov 16, 2023
Programme
A structured educational or training schedule.
He's completing a training programme in carpentry.
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Nov 16, 2023
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Program
An organized plan or policy.
The government launched a health program for rural areas.
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Nov 16, 2023
Programme
An organized initiative or strategy.
The new educational programme aims to improve literacy.
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Nov 16, 2023
Program
A listing of the order of events and other pertinent information for a public presentation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Programme
Standard spelling of program
Our programme for today’s exercise class includes swimming and jogging.
The programme about Greek architecture starts at 9:00 on Channel 4.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
An ordered list of events to take place or procedures to be followed; a schedule
A program of physical therapy for a convalescent.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A system of services, opportunities, or projects, usually designed to meet a social need
"Working parents rely on the center's after-school latchkey program" (New York Times).
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Oct 19, 2023
Programme
That which is written or printed as a public notice or advertisement; a scheme; a prospectus; especially, a brief outline or explanation of the order to be pursued, or the subjects embraced, in any public exercise, performance, or entertainment; a preliminary sketch.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Programme
An announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event;
You can't tell the players without a program
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A plan or system of academic and related or ancillary activities
A work-study program.
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Oct 19, 2023
Programme
An integrated course of academic studies;
He was admitted to a new program at the university
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A plan or system of nonacademic extracurricular activities
The football program.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A set of coded instructions that enables a machine, especially a computer, to perform a desired sequence of operations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Programme
(computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute;
The program required several hundred lines of code
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Oct 19, 2023
Programme
A system of projects or services intended to meet a public need;
He proposed an elaborate program of public works
Working mothers rely on the day care program
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Oct 19, 2023
Programme
A series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished;
They drew up a six-step plan
They discussed plans for a new bond issue
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A characteristic sequence of developmental or behavioral events in a cell or organism, often considered to result from the expression of genes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Programme
A performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation;
The program lasted more than two hours
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A stimulus or training sequence that causes an organism to exhibit a behavior, as by conditioning.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
To include or schedule in a program
Program a new musical composition.
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Oct 19, 2023
Programme
A scheduled broadcast on TV or radio.
The documentary programme won several awards.
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Nov 16, 2023
Program
To stimulate or train to perform automatically in a specified way
Consumers who have been programmed to buy brand names.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
To prepare an instructional sequence for (material to be taught) in programmed instruction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
To provide (a cell or organism, for example) with a genetic program
Cells that are programmed to produce insulin.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
To cause (an effect or action) by means of a genetic program; determine genetically
"The basic housekeeping duties that a human and a yeast cell must perform are the same and are programmed by recognizably similar genes inherited from a common, single-celled ancestor" (Nicholas Wade).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Program
A set of structured activities.
Our program for today’s exercise class includes swimming and jogging.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A leaflet listing information about a play, game or other activity.
The program consisted of ads for restaurants and the credits of everyone connected with the play.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
(politics) A set of principle goals which are supported by a political party or individual candidate
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
(broadcasting) A performance of a show or other broadcast on radio or television.
Tonight’s program was hosted by Johnny Carson.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
(computing) A software application, or a collection of software applications, designed to perform a specific task.
The program runs on both Linux and Microsoft Windows.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
(transitive) To enter a program or other instructions into (a computer or other electronic device) to instruct it to do a particular task.
He programmed the DVR to record his favorite show.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
(transitive) To develop (software) by writing program code.
I programmed a small game as a demonstration.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
(transitive) To put together the schedule of an event.
Mary will program Tuesday’s festivities.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
(broadcasting) To schedule the programming; to determine what will be broadcast.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
(transitive) To cause to automatically behave in a particular way.
The lab rat was programmed to press the lever when the bell rang.
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A system of projects or services intended to meet a public need;
He proposed an elaborate program of public works
Working mothers rely on the day care program
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished;
They drew up a six-step plan
They discussed plans for a new bond issue
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Program
(computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute;
The program required several hundred lines of code
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Program
An integrated course of academic studies;
He was admitted to a new program at the university
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Program
A performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation;
The program lasted more than two hours
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A document stating the aims and principles of a political party;
Their candidate simply ignored the party platform
They won the election even though they offered no positive program
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Program
An announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event;
You can't tell the players without a program
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Oct 19, 2023
Program
A set of instructions written for computers.
The new antivirus program protects against malware.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "programme" refer to a computer application in the UK?
No, "program" is the term used for computer applications, even in the UK.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Does "programme" have a different pronunciation than "program"?
No, both are pronounced the same.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Are these terms used in other English-speaking countries?
Yes, but the usage aligns with either American or British English, depending on the country's influence.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Is "programme" ever used in American English?
It's very rare and usually considered a Britishism.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Is "program" used in British English?
"Program" is used in British English, but primarily for computer software.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Do both terms have the same origin?
Yes, both originate from the Greek word "programma."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Can "program" be used for a TV show in the US?
Yes, "program" is used for TV shows in American English.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Has the usage of these terms evolved over time?
Yes, especially with the global influence of American English, the term "program" has become more widespread.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
In the context of government initiatives, which term is preferred in the UK?
"Programme" is generally preferred in the UK for government and organizational plans.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Are "program" and "programme" interchangeable in event planning?
In American English, only "program" is used, while in British English, "programme" is preferred for events.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Do educational courses use different terms in the US and UK?
Yes, the US uses "program," while the UK may use "programme."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Are there any contexts where both terms are equally acceptable?
In the context of computer software, "program" is universally accepted.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Can "programme" be a verb in British English?
No, "program" is the verb form in both American and British English.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Is the spelling "programme" considered incorrect in the US?
Yes, it's typically considered a British spelling and not commonly used in the US.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Is "program" used for printed event schedules in the US?
Yes, "program" is used for both the event itself and its printed schedule in the US.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Can "programme" be used in a technological context in the UK?
Only "program" is used for technology and software, regardless of the region.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
How does the media influence the usage of these terms?
American media tends to promote the use of "program," influencing its global usage.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Do dictionaries list both spellings?
Yes, but they usually specify the regional usage of each.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Are these terms used in legal contexts?
Yes, but the choice of term depends on the regional language norms.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Can "programme" be used for an educational syllabus in the UK?
Yes, "programme" is often used for educational courses in the UK.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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