application programming interface

noun

variants or less commonly application program interface
computing
: a set of rules that allows programmers to develop software for a particular operating system without having to be completely familiar with that operating system
To fix this problem, trustbusters have installed a provision forcing Microsoft to disclose more information about its so-called application programming interfaces, or APIs.Business Week
abbreviation API

Examples of application programming interface in a Sentence

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Additionally, identify whether application programming interfaces (APIs) are available to minimize the need for user interface automation and manual interventions. Rajiv Kumaresan, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 The agent then calls a function that connects to the application programming interface (API) of the airline’s flight booking platform. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Nov. 2024 Open Banking Open banking is a banking practice that involves opening financial data through secure application programming interfaces (APIs). Kinil Doshi, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 In addition, Square Online has an application programming interface (API), so developers can create third-party add-ons outside the Square App Marketplace. Robert Anderson, PCMAG, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for application programming interface

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of application programming interface was in 1968

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Cite this Entry

“Application programming interface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/application%20programming%20interface. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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