widget

American  

[wij-it] / ˈwɪdʒ ɪt /

noun

1. a small mechanical device, as a knob or switch, especially one whose name is not known or cannot be recalled; gadget.

   a row of widgets on the instrument panel.

2. something considered typical or representative, as of a manufacturer's products.

   the widgets coming off the assembly line.

3. Digital Technology. a module on a website, in an application, or in the interface of a device that allows users to access information or perform a function.

   I added a weather widget to my screen.

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widget British  

/ ˈwɪdʒɪt /

noun

1. informal any small mechanism or device, the name of which is unknown or temporarily forgotten

2. a small device in a beer can which, when the can is opened, releases nitrogen gas into the beer, giving it a head

3. a small computer program that can be installed on and executed from the desktop of a personal computer

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Etymology

Origin of widget

First recorded in 1925–30; perhaps alteration of gadget

Example Sentences

It’s a “Tetris”-like video game taking place “in a nondescript black-and-white factory that made unspecified widgets.”

From Washington Post

“It appears that Windows 11 widgets will ignore a user’s default browser choice and open Microsoft Edge for the content instead,” says a Brave spokesperson in a statement to The Verge.

From The Verge

An Air Quality Index badge will show up on the clock and weather widget on the Nest Hub’s Ambient screen.

From The Verge

With Google introducing the biggest system redesign in years, there are plenty of areas where an app could run into trouble — double-check those widgets.

From The Verge

Image: Google The widgets have already rolled out to me, and I noticed that the shortcuts on mine differed from the ones shown in the above press image.

From The Verge

Related Words

• gizmo