Definition of module

The word "module" originates from Latin, where "modulus" means "measuring rod" or "standard unit". In the 15th century, the term "module" emerged in English, referring to a standard unit of measurement or a part of something that is measured. In the 17th century, the term gained a new meaning in music, referring to a musical unit of measurement, such as a rhythmic pattern or a melodic phrase. In the 20th century, the concept of modular design emerged in architecture, engineering, and computer science, where a module referred to a self-contained unit of functionality or a sub-system that could be easily added, removed, or rearranged to form a larger system. Today, the word "module" is used in various contexts, including education, business, and technology, to refer to a discrete unit of learning, a sub-system, or a software component that can be reused and assembled with other modules to create a larger system or application.