modular

American  

[moj-uh-ler] / ˈmɒdʒ ə lər /

adjective

1. of or relating to a module or a modulus.

2. composed of standardized units or sections for easy construction or flexible arrangement.

   a modular home; a modular sofa.

3. Mathematics. (of a lattice) having the property that for any two elements with one less than the other, the union of the smaller element with the intersection of the larger element and any third element of the lattice is equal to the intersection of the larger element with the union of the smaller element and the third element.

4. Computers. composed of software or hardware modules that can be altered or replaced without affecting the remainder of the system.

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noun

1. something, as a house or piece of furniture, built or organized in self-contained units or sections.

2. a self-contained unit or item, as of furniture, that can be combined or interchanged with others like it to create different shapes or designs.

modular British  

/ ˌmɒdjʊˈlærɪtɪ, ˈmɒdjʊlə /

adjective

1. of, consisting of, or resembling a module or modulus

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Other Word Forms

• modularity noun

Etymology

Origin of modular

From the New Latin word modulāris, dating back to 1790–1800. See module, -ar ¹

Explanation

Use the adjective modular to describe something that is made up of pieces or parts, like a gerbil's habitat of tubes and cages, or a new house that is delivered in sections and then assembled. Things like houses, cars, airplanes, and computers are all often constructed in a modular way. Rather than being built all at once, they are built in separate parts that get assembled into a finished product. The word modular has been used this way since the 1930s — earlier, it was a purely mathematical term, from the Latin word modulus, or "small measure."

Example Sentences

The financing terms helped the development grow rapidly, albeit inconsistently, with neat modular homes, trailers and abandoned or vacant lots across more than 33,000 acres.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

Some hyperscalers are exploring on-site generation, including small modular nuclear reactors and natural-gas peakers, to reduce grid dependence.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Huntley said modular buildings are being built at the Thatcham nursery ravaged by the fire, which will have capacity for around 75 children.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

The trucker catalogs diesel prices each time she fuels up for the roughly 500-mile round trip she makes six nights a week hauling modular dorm rooms from outside Los Angeles to California Polytechnic State University.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

It was, in effect, a modular approach to music-making.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• commutable
• interchangeable
• standard