ETYM Old Eng. soket, a dim. through Old Fren. from Latin soccus. Related to Sock a covering for the foot.
1. A bony hollow into which a structure fits.
2. Where something (a pipe or probe or end of a bone) is inserted.

A receptacle into which an electric device can be inserted.

1. An identifier for a particular service on a particular node on a network. The socket consists of a node address and a port number, which identifies the service. For example, port 80 on an Internet node indicates a Web server. See also port number, sockets API.
2. The receptacle part of a connector, which receives a plug. See also female connector.
3. A receptacle on a PC motherboard into which a microprocessor is plugged. A socket-mounted microprocessor, such as the Pentium, connects to the motherboard through numerous pins on the underside. Newer Intel microprocessors, such as the Pentium II and later, plug into the motherboard through an edge connector along the side of the chip. See also socket 4, socket 5, socket 7, socket 8. Compare Slot 1, Slot 2.

To provide with or support in or by a socket