net neutrality

noun

: the idea, principle, or requirement that Internet service providers should or must treat all Internet data as the same regardless of its kind, source, or destination
… a philosophical contest that's being fought under the banner of "net neutrality," a slogan that inspires rhetorical devotion but eludes precise definition. Broadly, it means everything on the Internet should be equally accessible—that the Internet should be a place where great ideas compete on equal terms with big money.Sarah Rabil

Examples of net neutrality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Biden signed an executive order in July 2021 that contained several provisions relating to net neutrality, encouraging the FCC to reinstate Barack Obama-era rules in those areas. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 26 Sep. 2023 Nord Security said traffic surges like the ones seen in Pakistan this week were also observed in 2022, when news emerged China was considering taking full control of Hong Kong, and in the United States in 2017, when the FCC repealed net neutrality rules. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 In explaining the decision to revisit net neutrality, FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel noted the way the Covid-19 pandemic underscored the need for reliable and fair internet access, especially for things like education. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2024 Carr was referring to recent 3–2 votes on net neutrality regulations and rules that prohibit discrimination in access to broadband services. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 14 Dec. 2023 Sohn was an uncompromising supporter of net neutrality and an outspoken critic of the FCC’s abandonment of its regulatory responsibilities. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023 This has been true since the early 2010s, when tech companies began realizing the benefits of influencing policymakers on issues including net neutrality and privacy. Brian Fung, CNN, 1 Feb. 2024 But the technology has evolved since the early debate over net neutrality, when the internet’s pipes were slower and smaller. Eva Dou, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023 Among Pai’s first acts as agency chief was to propose a rollback of the earlier net neutrality rules. Brian Fung, CNN, 26 Sep. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of net neutrality was in 2003

Dictionary Entries Near net neutrality

Cite this Entry

“Net neutrality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/net%20neutrality. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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