modular
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to a module or a modulus.
-
composed of standardized units or sections for easy construction or flexible arrangement.
a modular home; a modular sofa.
-
Mathematics. (of a lattice) having the property that for any two elements with one less than the other, the union of the smaller element with the intersection of the larger element and any third element of the lattice is equal to the intersection of the larger element with the union of the smaller element and the third element.
-
Computers. composed of software or hardware modules that can be altered or replaced without affecting the remainder of the system.
noun
-
something, as a house or piece of furniture, built or organized in self-contained units or sections.
-
a self-contained unit or item, as of furniture, that can be combined or interchanged with others like it to create different shapes or designs.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of modular
From the New Latin word modulāris, dating back to 1790–1800. See module, -ar 1
Explanation
Use the adjective modular to describe something that is made up of pieces or parts, like a gerbil's habitat of tubes and cages, or a new house that is delivered in sections and then assembled. Things like houses, cars, airplanes, and computers are all often constructed in a modular way. Rather than being built all at once, they are built in separate parts that get assembled into a finished product. The word modular has been used this way since the 1930s — earlier, it was a purely mathematical term, from the Latin word modulus, or "small measure."
Vocabulary lists containing modular
Ready Player One
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Internment
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Holtec Nuclear is seeking to raise about $900 million as it prepares to restart the Palisades nuclear plant and expand into small modular reactors.
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026
Together, these five strains provide a modular set of components that can be arranged to build nearly any kind of circuit.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026
The government and prison service are looking at increasing capacity with the use of modular accommodation.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
“That cooperative agreement is about preparing safety protocols, infrastructure, and regulatory readiness for small modular reactor technology as it matures,” Hacegaba said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Admin is a single-level modular prefab building with wide gray paneling and a flat white roof.
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
