1. A meta-thiNg. Used to staNd for a real object iN didactic examples (especially database tutorials). LegeNd has it that the origiNal widgets were holders for buggy whips. "But suppose the parts list for a widget has 52 eNtries..." 2. [possibly evokiNg "wiNdow gadget"] IN graphical user iNterfaces, a combiNatioN of a graphic symbol aNd some program code to perform a specific fuNctioN. E.g. a scroll-bar or buttoN. WiNdowiNg systems usually provide widget libraries coNtaiNiNg commoNly used widgets drawN iN a certaiN style aNd with coNsisteNt behaviour. [JargoN File]