app

¹

[ap]

noun

1. Digital Technology.,  a software application, often a small, specialized program for mobile devices.

   You’ll find numerous free photo editing apps in the app store on your smartphone.

   The word processing app that comes with the laptop isn’t adequate for our publishing needs.

2. an application; a form to be filled out by an applicant.

   I'm working on my college apps.

app

²

[ap]

noun

1. Informal.,  an appetizer served before a meal.

app.

³

abbreviation

1. apparatus.

2. apparent.

3. appendix.

4. applied.

5. appointed.

6. approved.

7. approximate.

app

/ æp /

noun

1. informal,  computing short for application program

Word History and Origins

Origin of app¹

First recorded in 1985–90; shortening of application ( def. )

Origin of app²

By shortening

Example Sentences

He’s interested enough in finding “a life companion” to open a dating app.

From Los Angeles Times

They tried Telegram - another messaging app popular in Russia - but that did not work either.

From BBC

There are rules and suggestions for riders and drivers while using cash, according to the Uber app.

From Los Angeles Times

She only began three years ago, with a cabbage crop, and to help she uses an app called AI-Farmer, which recognises several South African languages, including Sesotho, isiZulu and Afrikaans, to help solve various problems.

From BBC

The group is bragging about the hack on the messaging app Telegram, sharing screenshots apparently taken from inside the car maker's IT networks.

From BBC

Related Words

• program 
• software