adware

[ ad-wair ]

noun

, Digital Technology.

1. software that displays advertisements and is integrated into another program offered at no charge or at low cost.
2. a type of spyware that gathers information about an internet user's browsing habits and displays targeted or contextual advertisements.

adware

/ ˈædˌwɛə /

noun

1. a type of computer software that collects information about a user's browsing patterns in order to display relevant advertisements in his or her Web browser
2. computer software that is given to a user with advertisements already embedded

Word History and Origins

Origin of adware¹

First recorded in 1980–85; ad(vertising-supported) + (soft)ware ( def )