router

1 of 3

noun (1)

rout·​er ˈrau̇-tər How to pronounce router (audio)
: one that routs: such as
a
: a routing plane
b
: a machine with a revolving vertical spindle and cutter for milling out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 3

noun (2)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər How to pronounce router (audio)
ˈrau̇-
: one that routes
especially : a device that mediates the transmission routes of data packets over an electronic communications network (such as the Internet)

router

3 of 3

noun (3)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər How to pronounce router (audio)
ˈrau̇-
: a horse trained for distance races

Examples of router in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In that event, the FBI issued an advisory urging people to restart their routers to remove any possible infections. Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2024 Every surface is littered with chargers, security cameras, routers, and phones. Simon Hill, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2024 To allow for the transmission of data, a Wi-Fi router would have to be installed as well. D. T. Max, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2024 The Orbi router also has a 10Gb internet port for interfacing with the latest high-speed fiber Internet services. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Inside it were items taken from the Secret Service vehicle, including a protective vest, night-vision goggles, a first aid bag and a computer router. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Officers also took, the search warrant said, routers, an iPhone, a hand tool, and various items belonging to Arenas, such as clothing and jewelry. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2024 Unlike its predecessor, the latest Echo Show 8 functions as a Matter controller, a Zigbee hub, and a Thread border router. Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 9 Feb. 2024 This includes her weather router, her project manager and a medic who keeps track of her health. Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'router.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

rout entry 4 + -er entry 2

Noun (2)

route entry 2 + -er entry 2

Noun (3)

route entry 1 (in sense "race of a mile or more") + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1818, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1903, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of router was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near router

Cite this Entry

“Router.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/router. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

router

1 of 2 noun
rout·​er ˈrau̇t-ər How to pronounce router (audio)
: a machine for cutting out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 2 noun
rout·​er ˈrüt-ər How to pronounce router (audio)
ˈrau̇t-
: one that routes
especially : a device that sends data from one place to another within a computer network or between computer networks

More from Merriam-Webster on router

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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