Application

1. the act of putting to a special use or purpose: the application of common sense to a problem. 2. the special use or purpose to which something is put: a technology having numerous applications never thought of by its inventors. 3. the quality of being usable for a particular purpose or in a special way; relevance: This has no application to the case. 4. the act of requesting. 5. a written or spoken request or appeal for employment, admission, help, funds, etc.: to file an application for admission to a university. 6. a form to be filled out by an applicant, as for a job or a driver's license. 7. close attention; persistent effort: Application to one's studies is necessary. 8. an act or instance of spreading on, rubbing in, or bringing into contact: the application of a compress to a wound; a second application of varnish. 9. a salve, ointment, or the like, applied as a soothing or healing agent. 10. Computers. a type of job or problem that lends itself to processing or solution by computer: Inventory control is a common business application. Also called application software, application program. a computer program used for a particular type of job or problem: Your new computer comes preloaded with applications.