programme

Word family

• program
  nounA2
• programmer
  nounB1
• programming
  nounB1
• programmable
  adjectiveB2
• programmed
  adjectiveB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

Programme, plan, schedule, agenda, scheme, and initiative all refer to organised sets of activities, but they differ in scope and context. A programme is a coordinated series of activities with a clear goal, such as a government health programme or a corporate training programme. A plan is the broadest term — any intended course of action, from a simple dinner plan to a complex five-year plan. A schedule focuses on timing: it lists when each activity happens. An agenda is specifically a list of topics for discussion in a meeting. A scheme is similar to a plan but in British English often carries a slightly negative tone of being complicated or dishonest (e.g. 'a get-rich-quick scheme'). An initiative is a new programme aimed at solving a particular problem, often used in business or politics. For example: 'The hospital runs a health programme for new mothers.' vs 'Let's check the meeting agenda.' vs 'The construction schedule has been delayed by three weeks.'

Common collocations

Etymology

The word programme comes from Greek programma, meaning 'a written public notice'. This was formed from pro- ('before') and graphein ('to write'). The word passed into Latin as programma, then into French as programme, and from there into English in the 17th century. The spelling program became the standard in American English in the 19th century, while British English kept the French-influenced programme. A notable exception developed in the 20th century: when referring to computer software, British English adopted the American spelling program to distinguish it from other meanings.