The noun application has 6 senses (first 6 from tagged texts)
1. (378) application -- (a verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school; "December 31 is the deadline for applications")
2. (191) application, practical application -- (the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose; "he advocated the application of statistics to the problem"; "a novel application of electronics to medical diagnosis")
3. (65) application, application program, applications programme -- (a program that gives a computer instructions that provide the user with tools to accomplish a task; "he has tried several different word processing applications")
4. (37) application, coating, covering -- (the work of applying something; "the doctor prescribed a topical application of iodine"; "a complete bleach requires several applications"; "the surface was ready for a coating of paint";)
5. (1) lotion, application -- (liquid preparation having a soothing or antiseptic or medicinal action when applied to the skin; "a lotion for dry skin")
6. (1) application, diligence -- (a diligent effort; "it is a job requiring serious application")