The word widget (pronounced wih-jit) is one of those words that today has far too numerous definitions. The dictionary defines it as a small mechanical device; a gadget, or a manufactured item that is unnamed. Simply we all know in the Internet era, a widget is much, much more.

In a computer programing context, it’s a generic term for the part of a GUI that allows the user to interface with the application and operating system. Widgets show information and invite the user to act in a number of ways. Typical widgets that you may encounter include buttons, dialog boxes, pop-up windows, selection boxes, windows, toggle switches and forms.  The term widget also can be used to refer to either the graphic component or its controlling program or to refer to the combination of both.Today when people use the word widget, in a Web 2.0 world, they are referring to piece of self-contained code — a small application actually, that opens up a doorway to a much larger application.  To this end, you can find widgets that provide stock quotes and news, search boxes for Google, eBay and other popular search-based Web sites, clocks, counters, games, feeds and more.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that widgets used on the desktop or Web are also called gadgets. In fact, in Windows Vista, Microsoft uses the word gadget, but it is still a widget.