app

1 of 2

noun

ˈap 

1

: application sense 3

a word processing app

especially : an application designed for a mobile device (such as a smartphone)

Health-insurance companies and government officials alike are drawn to the ability of smartphone apps to reach tough-to-access patients, to effect long-term lifestyle changes, and to do it all at a very low cost.

—Marcellus Hall

see also killer app

2

informal : appetizer

… the hidden video monitors that tell the cooks when the V.I.P.'s have finished their apps …

—Thomas McNamee

app

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

apparatus

2

appendix

3

appliance

Examples of app in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Enrollment at all participating parks is run through the MLB Ballpark app. —Josh Bruni, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

The best way to stay safe is to exercise caution when browsing online, downloading apps or making online transactions. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2025

The Spotify music app is seen on a phone in New York City on June 4, 2024. —Cj Haddad, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025

TikTok has taken over as one of the most popular apps among American teens, but not without plenty of parental anxiety tagging along. —Annabelle Canela, Parents, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1981, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing app

• killer app

Rhymes for app

• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap
• lap
• nap
• nappe
• pap

Kids Definition

app

noun

ˈap

1

: application sense 6

2

informal : appetizer

Medical Definition

app

1 of 2 abbreviation

appendix

APP

2 of 2 abbreviation

amyloid precursor protein

Legal Definition

App

abbreviation

Appeals