programming language

/ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ/

//ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ// noun

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

The verdict

“programming language” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
20
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 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.

Corpus desk

Index EN-programming-language · programming language · English

programming language · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
  • LEN-MEGA 20 letters
  • VOW-7 7 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-THIN "P" thin
  • PHOTO-UNK Peer pending

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

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

Long-tail rank of “programming language” in English

programming languageranks outside the top 100,000 English headwords, in the long tail of specialist, archaic, or seldom-used vocabulary, exactly the territory where a reader stops mid-sentence to double-check spelling.

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

Rare enough to double-check

programming language is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as anoun, transcribed /ˈpɹəʊɡɹæmɪŋ læŋɡwɪdʒ/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. Gloss: "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.

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

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list