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

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Etymology

Origin of module

1555–65; < Latin modulus; see modulus

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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

The rapid development of artificial-intelligence inference and agent applications is accelerating demand for high-performance server CPUs, which in turn acts as a massive growth catalyst for memory module and memory interconnect chips.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

One such module tracks targets and guides the drone the final 500 meters to them.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

The first step toward that phase of the mission occurred on September 3, 2026, when both probes were separated from the transport module.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 12, 2026

During her courses, she learnt about tinting, waxing, facials and massage, which was taught as a separate module.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

This module introduces several traditions that are very different from each other, but that are all based on modes or ragas rather than on scales:

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

The company that makes the computer advertises more advanced modules, which it claims will provide additional and even full autonomy.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

Future quantum computers may depend on the ability to connect widely separated modules through distributed entanglement.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 31, 2026

The sauce and cheese modules – even the pepperoni-sprinkler.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

Mr. Burger’s writings on “attribution science,” a theory central to those cases, are cited as neutral scientific authority throughout CJP’s modules and have been assigned as supplemental reading to judges attending its trainings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

If genetic modules are so autonomous, then why—to turn Morgan’s riddle on its head—are legs not growing out of fly’s heads, or humans not born with thumbs emerging from our noses?

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

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Related Words

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

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