dongle

[dong-guhl, dawng‑]

noun

Digital Technology.

1. a hardware device, paired with a licensed copy of a software program, that must be plugged into a computer to authorize every use of the software.

   an antipiracy dongle.

2. a device that can be plugged into a hardware port on a computer, television, or other electronic device, to enable access when connecting devices to peripherals, to the internet, or to each other: an HDMI dongle with television apps;

   a USB dongle for wireless internet access;

   an HDMI dongle with television apps;

   a display port dongle to connect the laptop to the projector.

dongle

/ ˈdɒŋɡəl /

noun

1. computing an electronic device that accompanies a software item to prevent the unauthorized copying of programs

Word History and Origins

Origin of dongle¹

First recorded in 1980–85; probably an arbitrary coinage

Example Sentences

Dual wireless connectivity adds to the functionality, for example chatting on a phone call with a Bluetooth smartphone connection and using the dongle at the same time for game audio.

Read more on Washington Times

Before she took the stage, Noname borrowed an iPhone dongle from another performer — an act she referred to as a “socialism doing.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ms Felke shares the new device with her nine-year-old daughter, but said they must still rely on mobile data and a dongle as she cannot afford broadband at home.

Read more on BBC

The current Chromecast with Google TV dongle costs €70, making the upcoming alternative around 40 percent cheaper, though we’ll have to wait and see how prices will compare across other regions.

Read more on The Verge

Image: Razer The charging dock is still a totally optional accessory, thanks to the addition of Bluetooth connectivity to the typical 2.4Ghz wireless dongle that comes with the Basilisk V3 Pro.

Read more on The Verge