Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ap·pli·ca·tion       (āp'lĭ-kā'shən)  Pronunciation Key  n.   The act of applying. Something applied, such as a cosmetic or curative agent. The act of putting something to a special use or purpose: an application of a new method. A specific use to which something is put: the application of science to industry. A request, as for assistance, employment, or admission to a school. The form or document on which such a request is made. The capacity of being usable; relevance: Geometry has practical application in aviation and navigation. Close attention; diligence: shows application to her work. A request, as for assistance, employment, or admission to a school. The form or document on which such a request is made. Computer Science A computer program with a user interface. adj.   Computer Science also applications Of or being a computer program designed for a specific task or use: applications software for a missile guidance system. [Middle English applicacion, from Old French, from Latin applicātiō, applicātiōn-, from applicātus, past participle of applicāre, to affix; see apply.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
application 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

application
noun
1.	the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose; "he advocated the application of statistics to the problem"; "a novel application of electronics to medical diagnosis"
2.	a verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school; "December 31 is the deadline for applications"
3.	the work of applying something; "the doctor prescribed a topical application of iodine"; "a complete bleach requires several applications"; "the surface was ready for a coating of paint";
4.	a program that gives a computer instructions that provide the user with tools to accomplish a task; "he has tried several different word processing applications"
5.	liquid preparation having a soothing or antiseptic or medicinal action when applied to the skin; "a lotion for dry skin" [syn: lotion]
6.	a diligent effort; "it is a job requiring serious application"
7.	the action of putting something into operation; "the application of maximum thrust"; "massage has far-reaching medical applications"; "the application of indexes to tables of data"

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

application       (āp'lĭ-kā'shən)  Pronunciation Key  A computer program with an interface, enabling people to use the computer as a tool to accomplish a specific task. Word processing, spreadsheet, and communications software are all examples of applications.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: ap·pli·ca·tion
Function: noun
: a request for action or relief applications request bail…or an extension of time to file —W. J. Brennan, Junior>; also : a form used to make such a request application>

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

application
1. application program.
2. function application.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Application

Ap`pli*ca"tion\, n. [L. applicatio, fr. applicare: cf. F. application. See Apply.]

1. The act of applying or laying on, in a literal sense; as, the application of emollients to a diseased limb.

2. The thing applied.

He invented a new application by which blood might be stanched. --Johnson.

3. The act of applying as a means; the employment of means to accomplish an end; specific use.

If a right course . . . be taken with children, there will not be much need of the application of the common rewards and punishments. --Locke.

4. The act of directing or referring something to a particular case, to discover or illustrate agreement or disagreement, fitness, or correspondence; as, I make the remark, and leave you to make the application; the application of a theory.

5. Hence, in specific uses: (a) That part of a sermon or discourse in which the principles before laid down and illustrated are applied to practical uses; the "moral" of a fable. (b) The use of the principles of one science for the purpose of enlarging or perfecting another; as, the application of algebra to geometry.

6. The capacity of being practically applied or used; relevancy; as, a rule of general application.

7. The act of fixing the mind or closely applying one's self; assiduous effort; close attention; as, to injure the health by application to study.

Had his application been equal to his talents, his progress might have been greater. --J. Jay.

8. The act of making request of soliciting; as, an application for an office; he made application to a court of chancery.

9. A request; a document containing a request; as, his application was placed on file.