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

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

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

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

Then it hacked the module that enforces blind obedience and embarked on a long journey to becoming human, with a full set of emotions spanning love, grief and . . . just kidding.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

He was told Canvas, the software used to administer the module, was down - something he found "a bit dodgy" because he uses the same platform at university "with no problems whatsoever".

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

“Pelicarnassus tried to drag us all down a wormhole to hell in our science module last year.”

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

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

The rapid adoption of faster optical modules for AI data centers is driving a shift toward semiconductor-style manufacturing, helping expand the market to an estimated $45.4 billion by 2030 from $12.6 billion in 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

What differentiates Coherent, which manufactures lasers and transceivers, is that the company is vertically integrated, from the raw-materials layer to lasers and the modules that house them.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

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

From Science Daily ● Aug. 31, 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