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Program vs. Programme: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
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.
Program vs. Programme

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.
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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
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
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
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023

Comparison Chart

Spelling

Shorter, without the extra 'me'
Longer, with the 'me' at the end
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Nov 21, 2023
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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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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

Variant of program.
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Oct 19, 2023

Program

The presentation itself
A program of piano pieces.
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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

A scheduled radio or television show.
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Oct 19, 2023

Programme

Alternative spelling of program
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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

Programme

Standard spelling of program
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023

Program

A course of academic study; a curriculum.
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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

Programme

A radio or television show;
Did you see his program last night?
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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

Program

An instruction sequence in programmed instruction.
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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

Program

All or part of the genetic code of a cell or organism.
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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

Programme

Write a computer program
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Program

To include or schedule in a program
Program a new musical composition.
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Oct 19, 2023

Programme

Arrange a program of or for;
Program the 80th birthday party
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Oct 19, 2023

Program

To design a program for; schedule the activities of.
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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 provide (a machine) with a set of coded working instructions.
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Oct 19, 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).
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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

A particular mindset or method of doing things.
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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

Same as Programme.
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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
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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
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Oct 19, 2023

Program

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 radio or television show;
Did you see his program last night?
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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
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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

Arrange a program of or for;
Program the 80th birthday party
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Oct 19, 2023

Program

Write a computer program
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Oct 19, 2023

Program

A set of instructions written for computers.
The new antivirus program protects against malware.
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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.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023

Does "programme" have a different pronunciation than "program"?

No, both are pronounced the same.
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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.
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Nov 21, 2023

Is "programme" ever used in American English?

It's very rare and usually considered a Britishism.
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Nov 21, 2023

Is "program" used in British English?

"Program" is used in British English, but primarily for computer software.
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Nov 21, 2023

Do both terms have the same origin?

Yes, both originate from the Greek word "programma."
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Nov 21, 2023

Can "program" be used for a TV show in the US?

Yes, "program" is used for TV shows in American English.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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Nov 21, 2023

Are there any contexts where both terms are equally acceptable?

In the context of computer software, "program" is universally accepted.
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Nov 21, 2023

Can "programme" be a verb in British English?

No, "program" is the verb form in both American and British English.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Nov 21, 2023

Do dictionaries list both spellings?

Yes, but they usually specify the regional usage of each.
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Nov 21, 2023

Are these terms used in legal contexts?

Yes, but the choice of term depends on the regional language norms.
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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.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023

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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila 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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