Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

net

noun (1)
\ ˈnet How to pronounce net (audio) \

Definition of net

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1a : an open-meshed fabric twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals
b : something made of net: such as
(1) : a device for catching fish, birds, or insects
(2) : a fabric barricade (see barricade entry 2 sense 1a) which divides a court in half (as in tennis or volleyball) and over which a ball or shuttlecock must be hit to be in play
(3) : the fabric that encloses the sides and back of the goal (see goal sense 2a) in various games (such as soccer or hockey) shot the puck into the net
2 : an entrapping device or situation caught in the net of suspicious circumstances cannot escape the net of circumstances in which he is caught— W. P. Webb
3 : something resembling a net in reticulation (as of lines, fibers, or figures) the net of global communication … the systemic net of restrictions …— John Edgar Wideman
4a : a group of communications stations operating under unified control Army radio net
b : network sense 4
5 or less commonly Net : internet world news on the Net

net

verb (1)
netted; netting

Definition of net (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to cover or enclose with or as if with a net
2 : to catch in or as if in a net
3 : to cover with or as if with a network
4a : to hit (a ball) into the net for the loss of a point in a racket game
b : to hit (a ball or puck) into the goal for a score (as in hockey or soccer) also : to score (a point or goal) by netting a ball or puck

net

adjective

Definition of net (Entry 3 of 5)

1 : free from all charges or deductions: such as
a : remaining after the deduction of all charges, outlay, or loss net earnings net worth — compare gross
b : excluding all tare net weight
2 : excluding all nonessential considerations : basic, final the net result net effect

net

verb (2)
netted; netting

Definition of net (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : to receive by way of profit : clear
b : to produce by way of profit : yield
2 : to get possession of : gain

net

noun (2)

Definition of net (Entry 5 of 5)

1 : a net amount, profit, weight, or price
2 : the score of a golfer in a handicap match after deducting his or her handicap from the gross score
3 : essence, gist
Other Words from net More Example Sentences Learn More about net

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from net

Noun (1)

netless \ ˈnet-​ləs How to pronounce netless (audio) \ adjective
netlike \ ˈnet-​ˌlīk How to pronounce netlike (audio) \ adjective
netty \ ˈne-​tē How to pronounce netty (audio) \ adjective

Verb (1)

netter noun

Examples of net in a Sentence

Adjective

 The net result of the new bridge will be fewer traffic jams.

First Known Use of net

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1758, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

circa 1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for net

Noun (1) and Verb (1)

Middle English nett, from Old English; akin to Old High German nezzi net

Adjective

Middle English, clean, pure, from Anglo-French — more at neat

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about net

Dictionary Entries near net

nestorine

Nestorius

nesty

net

Netanyahu

net area

netball

Statistics for net

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for net

The first known use of net was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for net

net

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of net

—used to describe the weight of something without its packaging or container
: after everything is completed

See the full definition for net in the English Language Learners Dictionary

net

noun
\ ˈnet How to pronounce net (audio) \

Kids Definition of net

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a device made of strands that weave in and out with open spaces between and used to hold or catch something
2 : a fabric made of strands of thread, cord, rope, or wire that weave in and out with much open space a net for catching fish
3 : the object placed between players in some games (as tennis)
4 : the area that serves as the goal in some games (as soccer and hockey)
5 often capitalized : internet
6 : network sense 1 a net of passageways
7 : something that traps and is difficult to escape from They were caught in a net of lies.

net

verb
netted; netting

Kids Definition of net (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : to cover with or as if with a net
2 : to catch in or as if in a net

net

adjective

Kids Definition of net (Entry 3 of 4)

: remaining after all charges or expenses have been subtracted We made a net profit of eight dollars.

net

verb
netted; netting

Kids Definition of net (Entry 4 of 4)

: to gain or produce as profit : clear Each sale nets ten cents.

net

noun
\ ˈnet How to pronounce net (audio) \

Medical Definition of net

: network in the portal system, blood passes through two capillary nets— E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu

Keep scrolling for more

net

adjective

Legal Definition of net

: remaining after deduction of all charges, outlay, or loss the net proceeds — compare gross

History and Etymology for net

Anglo-French, clean, pure, from Latin nitidus bright, neat, from nitēre to shine

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on net

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with net

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for net

Spanish Central: Translation of net

Nglish: Translation of net for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of net for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about net

Comments on net

What made you want to look up net? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

nonpareil

Listen to the pronounciation of nonpareil

having no equal

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
TRENDING NOW

  1. surveillance Comey comments on Barr's use of 'spy'

  2. cavalier Virginia wins men's championship

  3. redact, redacted Barr discusses release of report

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games