What is the definition of a widget?

The word "widget" has two meanings. It can be a reference to an unnamed gadget, article or item, or it can mean an area in a Web page where a user can add content or features.

The word "widget" is believed to be an alteration of the word "gadget," although no one is certain of the etymology. Its earliest known use was in 1924 in a play titled "Beggar on Horseback."

It is now also used in the computer world, especially in Web design. It refers to customizable content boxes placed on the sidebar areas of Web pages. These widgets can contain text, videos, ads, photos or other types of information. They can be moved around by the Web designer to any widgetized area on the Web page.