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Glite Dictionary
sort program

sort program

4.1
A computer tool that puts items in order by letters or numbers
  • noun
  • /sɔrt ˈprɒɡræm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : programa de ordenación
  • I need you to run a maintenance sort program... ...weigh all online accounts, largest to smallest.

Examples

  • She used the sort program to organize the customer database alphabetically.

  • The sort program quickly arranged the data in numerical order for analysis.

  • Before the presentation, he ran a sort program to list the items from the highest to lowest value.

Synonyms

sorting program
vssort program
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A computer tool that puts data items in order by name or number

has identical meaning but uses a shorter name form
alphabetizer
vssort program
  • Specialized
4.8

A program or tool that puts lists in alphabetical order

is broader, handling alphabetical or numerical ordering

Surface Forms

sort program singular
sort programs plural

Morphology

sort + program

The meaning 'a program that arranges data' is directly and compositionally derived from 'sort' (to arrange into categories) modifying 'program' (computer instructions). This is a transparent, productive noun-noun/attributive construction common in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The noun sort program comes from the simple act of sort, meaning to put things into order, like someone arranging letters or cards, and program, a set of steps for a computer. So a sort program is a small computer tool that arranges data into a chosen 'order', such as alphabetically or by number.