preprogram

verb

pre·​pro·​gram ˌprē-ˈprō-ˌgram How to pronounce preprogram (audio)
-grəm
variants or pre-program
preprogrammed or pre-programmed; preprogramming or pre-programming

transitive + intransitive

: to program (something or someone) in advance
Users preprogram their contacts into the app, and with the press of a button, the app will automatically text those contacts.Issi Lapowsky
In commercial or industrial buildings you could preprogram lighting cycles …Trevor Pott
… before birth we are preprogrammed with a wide amplitude of longevity prospects, intelligence and physical capabilities.Ken Miller
preprogrammed adjective
or pre-programmed
preprogrammed settings/instructions
a preprogrammed flight plan
genetically preprogrammed behavior
preprogramming noun
or pre-programming
… no preprogramming is involved and a vision system isn't required to map the terrain. Instead, the elastic actuators that make up the robot's legs conform to the surface it's walking on … Brian Heater
For example, we inherited a belief that there are 365 days in each year. … By default, we've accepted this preprogramming through habit and belief in truth set by others. Aaron Anson

Examples of preprogram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead of trying to preprogram actions, Microsoft decided to teach its gaming technology to recognize gestures in real time just like a human does: by extrapolating from experience. Susan Kuchinskas, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2010 The serendipity involved represents a key element of the art of traveling: not needing to control or preprogram your experience, letting things unfold organically and taking the chance to be delighted by the unexpected. Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preprogram was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near preprogram

Cite this Entry

“Preprogram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preprogram. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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