widget

n. a part of a computer screen that you interact with, like a button, a menu, or a text box.

n. an element of a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays information or allows a user to interact with an application.

“The developer added a new search widget to the top of the website.”

“The framework allows developers to customise every widget within the interface, from simple buttons to complex data-entry forms.”

Technical

n. a small, simple application on your phone or computer screen that shows quick information like the weather.

n. a small, self-contained software application or applet that runs on a desktop or mobile home screen.

“I have a weather widget on my phone so I can see the temperature instantly.”

“Users can drag and drop various widgets onto their dashboard to monitor real-time stock prices and calendar events.”

n. a name used for a made-up product when explaining how business or manufacturing works.

n. a placeholder name for a hypothetical manufactured good, typically used in economic or business models to illustrate concepts.

“The professor explained supply and demand by using a factory that makes widgets.”

“In this economic simulation, we assume the firm produces ten thousand widgets per month at a fixed marginal cost.”

Academic

n. a small, useful device or tool whose name you might not know.

n. a small mechanical device or control; often used as a synonym for gadget or implement.

“He used a little plastic widget to pop the cover off the battery compartment.”

“The toolkit included several specialized widgets designed for removing paint from delicate glass surfaces without scratching them.”

Informal

n. a small plastic ball inside a beer can that makes the drink foamy when you open it.

n. a small plastic device placed in a container of beer to manage the characteristics of the head.

“You can hear the plastic widget rattling inside the empty can of stout.”

“The introduction of the nitrogen-filled widget revolutionized the experience of drinking canned stout by replicating a draught-style pour.”

Technical · British English