application programming interface
noun
variants
or less commonly application program interface
computing
: a set of rules that allows programmers to develop software for a particular operating system without having to be completely familiar with that operating system
To fix this problem, trustbusters have installed a provision forcing Microsoft to disclose more information about its so-called application programming interfaces, or APIs.—
Business Week
—abbreviation API
Business WeekExamples of application programming interface in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As part of that agreement, Microsoft agreed to share Windows application programming interfaces (APIs) with third parties.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
The models are available to developers through OpenAI’s application programming interface (API).
—Will Knight, Wired News, 14 Apr. 2025
Modern application programming interface management is essential for maintaining data security because APIs play a crucial role in securing the engineering lifecycle.
—Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
That case resulted in a 2001 court ruling that found Microsoft had violated antitrust laws and led to a settlement imposing restrictions on its business practices, including requiring the company to share its application programming interfaces with third-party companies.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for application programming interface
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Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
The models are available to developers through OpenAI’s application programming interface (API).
—Will Knight, Wired News, 14 Apr. 2025
Modern application programming interface management is essential for maintaining data security because APIs play a crucial role in securing the engineering lifecycle.
—Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
That case resulted in a 2001 court ruling that found Microsoft had violated antitrust laws and led to a settlement imposing restrictions on its business practices, including requiring the company to share its application programming interfaces with third-party companies.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for application programming interface
Cite this Entry
“Application programming interface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/application%20programming%20interface. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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