Application software

the act of putting to a special use or purpose:
the application of common sense to a problem.
the special use or purpose to which something is put:
a technology having numerous applications never thought of by its inventors.
the quality of being usable for a particular purpose or in a special way; relevance:
This has no application to the case.
the act of requesting.
a written or spoken request or appeal for employment, admission, help, funds, etc.:
to file an application for admission to a university.
a form to be filled out by an applicant, as for a job or a driver’s license.
close attention; persistent effort:
Application to one’s studies is necessary.
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.
a salve, ointment, or the like, applied as a soothing or healing agent.
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.

Computers. a program used for a particular application (opposed to ).
noun
the act of applying to a particular purpose or use
relevance or value: the practical applications of space technology
the act of asking for something: an application for leave
a verbal or written request, as for a job, etc: he filed his application
diligent effort or concentration: a job requiring application
something, such as a healing agent or lotion, that is applied, esp to the skin
(logic, maths) the process of determining the value of a function for a given argument
short for application program, applications package
noun
a computer program that is written and designed for a specific need or purpose
noun

a computer program designed to carry out a specialized task(s) for the user, such as database management, word processing, or electronic mail
Examples

CleverKeys is one of my favorite application software programs.
Usage Note

computers
n.

early 15c., “the bringing of something to bear on something else,” from Old French aplicacion (14c.), from Latin applicationem (nominative applicatio) “a joining to, an attaching oneself to,” noun of action from past participle stem of applicare (see apply). Meaning “sincere hard effort” is from c.1600. Meaning “a formal request to be hired for a job or paid position” is by 1851.
application
(āp’lĭ-kā’shən)
A computer program with an interface, enabling people to use the computer as a tool to accomplish a specific task. Word processing, spreadsheet, and communications software are all examples of applications.

application program