pro|gram|ma|ble /proʊ græməb ə l/ ADJ A programmable machine can be programmed, so that for example it will switch on and off automatically or do things in a particular order. □ The heating system has a fully programmable touchscreen remote control.
pro|gram|mat|ic /proʊ grəmæ t I k/ ADJ Programmatic ideas or policies follow a particular programme. □ He gave up on programmatic politics and turned his back on public life.
pro|gramme ◆◆◆ /proʊ græm/ (programmes , programming , programmed ) in AM, use program 1 N‑COUNT A programme of actions or events is a series of actions or events that are planned to be done. □ The general argued that the nuclear programme should still continue.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A television or radio programme is something that is broadcast on television or radio. □ …a series of TV programmes on global environment. □ …local news programmes.
3 N‑COUNT A theatre or concert programme is a small book or sheet of paper which gives information about the play or concert you are attending.
4 VERB When you programme a machine or system, you set its controls so that it will work in a particular way. □ [V n to-inf] Parents can programme the machine not to turn on at certain times. [Also V n]
5 VERB [usu passive] If a living creature is programmed to behave in a particular way, they are likely to behave in that way because of social or biological factors that they cannot control. □ [be V -ed to-inf] We are all genetically programmed to develop certain illnesses. [Also be V -ed]
pro |gramme note (programme notes ) in AM, use program note N‑COUNT A programme note is an article written in a programme for a play or concert, which gives information about the performance or production.
pro|gram|mer /proʊ græmə r / (programmers ) N‑COUNT A computer programmer is a person whose job involves writing programs for computers. [COMPUTING ]
pro|gress ◆◆◇ (progresses , progressing , progressed ) The noun is pronounced /proʊ gres, [AM ] prɑː -/. The verb is pronounced /prəgre s/. 1 N‑UNCOUNT Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something. □ The medical community continues to make progress in the fight against cancer. □ The two sides made little if any progress towards agreement.
2 N‑SING The progress of a situation or action is the way in which it develops. □ [+ of ] The CEO is reported to have been delighted with the progress of the first day's talks.
3 VERB To progress means to move over a period of time to a stronger, more advanced, or more desirable state. □ [V ] He will visit once a fortnight to see how his new staff are progressing. □ [V + to ] He started with sketching and then progressed to painting.
4 VERB If events progress , they continue to happen gradually over a period of time. □ [V ] As the evening progressed, sadness turned to rage.
5 VERB If you progress something, you cause it to develop. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Very little was done to progress the case in the first 10 or so months after K was charged.
6 PHRASE If something is in progress , it has started and is still continuing. □ The game was already in progress when we took our seats. COLLOCATIONS progress NOUN
1
adjective + progress : good, real, significant, steady; rapid, slow, swift; technological
verb + progress : achieve, make
2
verb + progress : assess, follow, monitor, review VERB 4
noun + progress : day, evening, game, season; game, season, war, work
pro|gres|sion /prəgre ʃ ə n/ (progressions )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A progression is a gradual development from one state to another. □ [+ of ] Both drugs slow the progression of HIV, but neither cures the disease.
2 N‑COUNT A progression of things is a number of things which come one after the other. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a progression of habitats from dry meadows through marshes to open water.
pro|gres|sive /prəgre s I v/ (progressives )
1 ADJ Someone who is progressive or has progressive ideas has modern ideas about how things should be done, rather than traditional ones. □ …a progressive businessman who had voted for Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936. □ The children go to a progressive school. ● N‑COUNT A progressive is someone who is progressive. □ The Republicans were deeply split between progressives and conservatives.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A progressive change happens gradually over a period of time. □ One prominent symptom of the disease is progressive loss of memory. ● pro|gres|sive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Her symptoms became progressively worse. □ The amount of grant the council received was progressively reduced.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, progressive means the same as continuous .
pro|hib|it /prəh I b I t, [AM ] proʊ-/ (prohibits , prohibiting , prohibited ) VERB If a law or someone in authority prohibits something, they forbid it or make it illegal. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …a law that prohibits tobacco advertising in newspapers and magazines. □ [V n] Fishing is prohibited. □ [V n + from ] Federal law prohibits foreign airlines from owning more than 25% of any U.S. airline. ● pro|hi|bi|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the prohibition of women on air combat missions.
pro|hi|bi|tion /proʊ I b I ʃ ə n/ (prohibitions )