widget

[ wij-it ]
/ ˈwɪdʒ ɪt /

noun

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.
something considered typical or representative, as of a manufacturer's products: the widgets coming off the assembly line.
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.

Origin of widget

First recorded in 1925–30; perhaps alteration of gadget

Example sentences from the Web for widget

British Dictionary definitions for widget

widget
/ (ˈwɪdʒɪt) /

noun

informal any small mechanism or device, the name of which is unknown or temporarily forgotten
a small device in a beer can which, when the can is opened, releases nitrogen gas into the beer, giving it a head
a small computer program that can be installed on and executed from the desktop of a personal computer

Word Origin for widget

C20: changed from gadget