Socket

A socket is a hollow, recessed, or otherwise receptacle designed to receive and hold a counterpart, such as a plug, a pin, or a component. The term is used in several domains, including electrical engineering, computing, mechanical design, and dentistry. In everyday language, a socket often refers to an electrical outlet into which a plug is inserted.

In household power systems, a socket provides an access point for electrical energy; the corresponding plug carries prongs that fit into the socket's contacts. Sockets are defined by national and regional standards to match voltage, frequency, and safety features such as grounding and shuttering. Reversible or non-reversible, fixed or wall-mounted designs are common.

In mechanical contexts, sockets act as mating interfaces for connectors or tools. In electronics, a socket on a circuit board provides a removable connection for a chip or module, allowing replacement or upgrade. CPU sockets on motherboards are a common example, with formats such as pin grid array (PGA) or land grid array (LGA), giving electrical contact to pins or pads and secure mechanical mounting.

In computing, a socket is an endpoint for interprocess communication over a network. A network socket is identified by an IP address and a port number and can be used for stream-oriented (TCP) or datagram-oriented (UDP) communication. Sockets are accessed via a socket API, with Berkeley sockets and Windows Sockets being common implementations.

In anatomy, a socket is the bony cavity that houses a tooth, known as an alveolus or dental socket.