Source : WordNet®

programming language
     n : (computer science) a language designed for programming
         computers [syn: {programing language}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

programming language
     
         A formal language in which computer programs are
        written.  The definition of a particular language consists of
        both {syntax} (how the various symbols of the language may be
        combined) and {semantics} (the meaning of the language
        constructs).
     
        Languages are classified as low level if they are close to
        {machine code} and high level if each language statement
        corresponds to many machine code instructions (though this
        could also apply to a low level language with extensive use of
        {macro}s, in which case it would be debatable whether it still
        counted as low level).  A roughly parallel classification is
        the description as {first generation language} through to
        {fifth generation language}.
     
        Another major distinction is between {imperative language}s
        and {declarative language}s.
     
        (1995-04-06)