A program is a planned series of steps or instructions designed to accomplish something specific.

In computing, a program is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do. When you open a word processor, play a video game, or browse the internet, you're using different programs. Programmers write these instructions in special languages that computers can understand, much like following a recipe step by step. A simple program might add two numbers together, while a complex program like a video game coordinates graphics, sound, player actions, and game rules all at once.

Outside of computers, a program can mean any organized plan. A school might have a reading program to help students improve their skills. A theater prints a program listing the actors and scenes in a play. Cities run recycling programs. Athletes follow training programs. In each case, the program provides structure: specific steps or activities designed to reach a goal.

The word can also be a verb. To program a computer means to write instructions for it. You might program your morning routine by planning exactly when to wake up, eat breakfast, and leave for school. When you program something, you're creating an organized plan that others (or machines) can follow to get consistent results.