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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.

Contemporary Examples

But as fall application deadlines loom, one relatively simple strategy remains on the table.
College Admissions’ Secret Strategy Marc Zawel September 25, 2010

As of Tuesday, 67,000 application submissions and 150,000 school form submissions in a single day.
Crash of the Common App Caroline Linton October 31, 2013

Once users install the uProtect.it Facebook application, they can select to use it sometimes or always.
A Facebook Privacy Breakthrough David Kirkpatrick January 25, 2011

Her husband was supportive and even took the photos to submit with her application.
From Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader to Mrs. Robinson Brandy Zadrozny November 5, 2014

That’s why Apple famously banned the application from its iPhone store.
Google’s Better iPhone Douglas Rushkoff October 5, 2009

Historical Examples

Could he stand work at all, not only in a physical sense, but in application of mind?
The Day of the Beast Zane Grey

How so, I asked him, when that cannot wound without the application?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) Samuel Richardson

By dint of application, he began to make himself useful; he earned very little, but he hoped to become more skilful in time.
The Milkmaid of Montfermeil (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XX) Charles Paul de Kock

Most persons hasten to deny this truth in its application to themselves.
Within the Law Marvin Dana

On the application of fire to the whole, this composition turns black, leaving the design strongly outlined.
Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects Giorgio Vasari

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
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.

1. application program.
2. function application.