network

1 of 2

noun

net·​work ˈnet-ˌwərk How to pronounce network (audio)
1
: a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross at regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings
… ribbons, lace and embroidery wrought together in a most curious piece of networkJoseph Addison
2
: a system of lines or channels resembling a network
a telephone network
a network of blood vessels
3
a
: an interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system
a network of hotels
b
: a system of computers and peripherals that are able to communicate with each other
4
a
: a group of radio or television stations linked by wire or radio relay
b
: a radio or television company that produces programs for broadcast over such a network
sold the show to a big network
5
: a usually informally interconnected group or association of persons (such as friends or professional colleagues)
a support network available to single mothers
a network of bird watchers

network

2 of 2

verb

networked; networking; networks

transitive verb

1
: to cover with or as if with a network
a continent … so networked with navigable rivers and canalsLamp
2
chiefly British : to distribute for broadcast on a television network
3
: to join (things, such as computers) in a network

intransitive verb

: to engage in networking
networker noun

Examples of network in a Sentence

Noun He hooked up his computer to the network. The show is getting good ratings for the network. Verb The computers are networked to one main server. She spent the day networking with other executives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Many of those carriers have big global networks to serve customers, as well as a basic economy, no-frills product that competes with Spirit and other low-cost airlines. Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025 Getty Images Warmer temperatures in the English Channel, where the Paluel plant draws from, mean that conditions for jellyfish reproduction are far easier, and there are more swarms present in the water to potentially disrupt the energy network. Theo Burman shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Don’t take up space trying to network, demanding for guestlist and access. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025 That said, attempting to network for the sake of entrepreneurial growth can be cumbersome with little to no guidance. Nia Bowers, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for network

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1845, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of network was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Network.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/network. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

network

1 of 2 noun
net·​work ˈnet-ˌwərk How to pronounce network (audio)
1
: a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross with even spacings
2
: a system of lines or channels resembling a network
3
: a group or system of related or connected parts
especially : a group of connected radio or television stations
4
: a system of computers connected by communications lines

network

2 of 2 verb
1
: to cover with or join into a network
2
: to join together in a network
networked the classroom's computers

Medical Definition

network

noun
net·​work ˈnet-ˌwərk How to pronounce network (audio)
1
: a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross at regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings
2
: a system of lines or channels resembling a network
a network of veins

More from Merriam-Webster on network

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