module

American  

[moj-ool] / ˈmɒdʒ ul /

noun

• modules
  plural

1. a separable component, frequently one that is interchangeable with others, for assembly into units of differing size, complexity, or function.

2. any of the individual, self-contained segments of a spacecraft, designed to perform a particular task.

   the spacecraft's command module; a lunar module.

3. a standard or unit for measuring.

4. a selected unit of measure, ranging in size from a few inches to several feet, used as a basis for the planning and standardization of building materials.

5. Mathematics. an Abelian group with a set of left or right operators forming a ring such that for any two operators and any group element the result of having the first operator act on the element, giving a second element, and the second operator act on the second element is equal to the result of having a single operator, formed by adding or multiplying the two operators, act on the first element.

6. Computers.

   1. part of a program that performs a distinct function.

   2. an interchangeable, plug-in hardware unit.

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module British  

/ ˈmɒdjuːl /

noun

1. a self-contained unit or item, such as an assembly of electronic components and associated wiring or a segment of computer software, which itself performs a defined task and can be linked with other such units to form a larger system

2. a standard unit of measure, esp one used to coordinate the dimensions of buildings and components; in classical architecture, half the diameter of a column at the base of the shaft

3. a standardized unit designed to be added to or used as part of an arrangement of similar units, as in furniture

4. astronautics any of several self-contained separable units making up a spacecraft or launch vehicle, each of which has one or more specified tasks

   command module

   service module

5. education a short course of study, esp of a vocational or technical subject, that together with other such completed courses can count towards a particular qualification

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• modules
  plural

Etymology

Origin of module

1555–65; < Latin modulus; see modulus

Explanation

A module is an individual part that combines with other components to make different things. You might have one module that's a cube, and another that's a slab of wood. Two cubes and a slab could make an end table. In space exploration, module can refer specifically to one of the lunar modules used for landing on the moon during the Apollo space missions. Two astronauts used a module to descend to the moon from the orbiting Apollo spacecraft and to return when the moon mission was complete. More recently, the Space Shuttle delivered several modules to the International Space Station, which is built on a modular design.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

module modules

A standard kit includes two subwoofers, an amplifier and a timing module, with costs ranging from $600 to $1,000 per unit, depending on accessories.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

At the center of the facility is a sophisticated collection of instruments known as the science module.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 23, 2026

He pointed to the need for additional racks of central processing units to run agentic AI that uses the memory module.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 15, 2026

The trigger for the order was a worsening air leak in the transfer tunnel, known as PrK, leading to a section of the Russian segment of the station called the Zvezda service module.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026

The problem with all this was that his work inside the command module changed completely, depending on whether he was hunter or hunted, whether he had to go high or low.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

The inquiry conducted its public hearings for each of its 10 modules between June 2023 and March 2026 and began publishing reports containing findings and recommendations from July 2024.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

The now-defunct Japanese supplier Takata said that inflaters in the air-bag modules it made for new cars had a defect that could cause air bags to rupture upon deployment, prompting the recall of millions vehicles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

In other stations on the factory floor, modules were taking shape for two houses that will replace houses lost in the Palisades fire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

"Our findings suggest that control for actions is highly distributed in local modules that link up and work together in different ways," Bates said.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 10, 2026

Some Apollo command modules turned over, and others didn’t.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

Related Words

• any
• chunk
• component
• detail
• element
• factor
• item
• lot
• measure
• member
• piece
• section
• sector
• segment
• share
• side
• unit