/ap'li kay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. the act of putting to a special use or purpose: the application of common sense to a problem.
2. the special use or purpose to which something is put: a technology having numerous applications never thought of by its inventors.
3. the quality of being usable for a particular purpose or in a special way; relevance: This has no application to the case.
4. the act of requesting.
5. a written or spoken request or appeal for employment, admission, help, funds, etc.: to file an application for admission to a university.
6. a form to be filled out by an applicant, as for a job or a driver's license.
7. close attention; persistent effort: Application to one's studies is necessary.
8. 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.
9. a salve, ointment, or the like, applied as a soothing or healing agent.
10. Computers. a type of job or problem that lends itself to processing or solution by computer: Inventory control is a common business application.
[ 1375-1425; late ME applicacio ( u ) n ( application- (s. of applicatio ), equiv. to applicat ( us ) applied (ptp. of applicare to APPLY) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 1. utilization. 3. aptitude, suitability, pertinence. 4. solicitation, petition. 7. assiduity, industry, persistence, perseverance. See effort .