application

UK: /ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən/ ,(ap′li kā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ap•pli•ca•tion /ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən/   n. 

1. the act of putting to a special use or purpose:
   [uncountable] the application of common sense.
2. the use to which something is put:
   [countable] new applications of the technology.
3. [uncountable] appropriateness;
   relevance:
   I don't think your complaint has any application to this case.
4. petition;
   request:
   [uncountable] application for admission to college.
5. a form to be filled out by an applicant:
   [countable] Fill out and sign the application.
6. hard work, attention, and concentration:
   [uncountable] demonstrated great application to her studies.
7. [countable] an act or instance of spreading or administering:
   an application of varnish.
8. Drugs a salve, ointment, or the like, spread on or applied as a soothing or healing agent:
   [countable] an application for burned skin.
9. Computing a special use to which a computer is put:
   [countable] spreadsheets and other applications.

See -plic-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ap•pli•ca•tion  (ap′li kā′shən), n. 

1. the act of putting to a special use or purpose:
   the application of common sense to a problem.
2. the special use or purpose to which something is put:
   a technology having numerous applications never thought of by its inventors.
3. the quality of being usable for a particular purpose or in a special way;
   relevance:
   This has no application to the case.
4. the act of requesting.
5. a written or spoken request or appeal for employment, admission, help, funds, etc.:
   to file an application for admission to a university.
6. a form to be filled out by an applicant, as for a job or a driver's license.
7. close attention;
   persistent effort:
   Application to one's studies is necessary.
8. an act or instance of spreading on, rubbing in, or bringing into contact:
   the application of a compress to a wound; a second application of varnish.
9. Drugs a salve, ointment, or the like, applied as a soothing or healing agent.
10. Computing a type of job or problem that lends itself to processing or solution by computer:
    Inventory control is a common business application.

• Latin applicātiōn- (stem of applicātiō), equivalent. to applicāt(us) applied (past participle of applicāre to apply) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle French)
• late Middle English applicacio(u)n (1375–1425

Synonyms

• 1. utilization.
• 3. aptitude, suitability, pertinence.
• 4. solicitation, petition.
• 7. assiduity, industry, persistence, perseverance. See effort. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

application / ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən/ noun

1. the act of applying to a particular purpose or use
2. relevance or value: the practical applications of space technology
3. the act of asking for something
4. a verbal or written request, as for a job, etc: he filed his application
5. diligent effort or concentration: a job requiring application
6. something, such as a healing agent or lotion, that is applied, esp to the skin