programming language

/ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ/

//ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ// noun

"programming-language" is a 19-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“programming language” is outside the top-ranked English vocabulary, used as a noun - the kind of word writers most often double-check.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
20
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A code of reserved words and symbols used in computer programs, which give instructions to the computer on how to accomplish certain computing tasks.

Key facts for programming language
PropertyValue
Headwordprogramming language
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ/
Letters20
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “programming language” sits in English frequency

programming language falls outside the top-100,000 ranked English words, the long-tail zone of technical, archaic, or low-frequency vocabulary, exactly where readers second-guess spellings most.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for programming language is 20 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ/. It sits outside the most-frequent rank tiers, which is often why uncommon words generate more spelling variants per reader. The dominant gloss from Wiktionary reads: "A code of reserved words and symbols used in computer programs, which give instructions to the computer on how to accomplish certain computing tasks.".

Zero misspellings are on record for programming language in our index, since its letter sequence doesn't invite the usual edit-distance slips. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, which tends to mean the word is visually distinctive enough to stand on its own.

This entry carries no recorded etymology, so its spelling is best read as a straightforward mapping from sound to letter. The correct English form is programming language, spelled P-R-O-G-R-A-M-M-I-N-G- -L-A-N-G-U-A-G-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    A code of reserved words and symbols used in computer programs, which give instructions to the computer on how to accomplish certain computing tasks.

Synonyms

This word in other languages

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "programming language"?
"programming language" is spelled P-R-O-G-R-A-M-M-I-N-G- -L-A-N-G-U-A-G-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ/.
What does "programming language" mean?
As a noun, "programming language" means: A code of reserved words and symbols used in computer programs, which give instructions to the computer on how to accomplish certain computing tasks.
How do you pronounce "programming language"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "programming language" is /ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What language does "programming language" come from?
"programming language" is a English word. PlainSpell's reference spans five languages -- English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German -- with definitions, pronunciations, and spelling data for each.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “programming language”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is P-R-O-G-R-A-M-M-I-N-G- -L-A-N-G-U-A-G-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list