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

Additionally, the Sunshine State wants to limit teens to two hours per day across all apps as well as turning off autoplay and infinite scroll features, among other changes. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Although only group tours are available, there's a free audio app, which gives insight into the collection. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026

First released in 2024, the song became a TikTok favorite this year — but its success has gone well beyond the app. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

The buddy-buddy Winkelvoss twins’ version of the app might actually have been better for the world. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

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