net neutrality

Definition of net neutrality

: 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 But the concerns are being pushed by a telecommunications lobbying group, and the FCC itself is led by partisan former Verizon lawyer Ajit Pai, who also opposes net neutrality. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Aviation Groups Are Worried 5G Could Lead to 'Catastrophic' Plane Crashes," 22 Dec. 2020 Republican senators offered no justification for confirming Simington, a move that is clearly designed to prevent or delay the Biden FCC from pursuing Democratic Party goals such as the restoration of net neutrality rules. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "GOP clinches 2-2 deadlock for Biden FCC as Senate approves Trump nominee," 8 Dec. 2020 The deadlock could slow or stall work on restoring net neutrality rules, which require internet providers to treat all web traffic equally, and other longtime Democratic priorities. — Washington Post, "Senate confirms Trump nominee for FCC, threatening deadlock under Biden," 8 Dec. 2020 What happens to net neutrality at the FCC also bears on bridging the digital divide. — Christopher Mims, WSJ, "Joe Biden’s 5 Tech Priorities," 19 Dec. 2020 The country’s new climate target, announced on Dec. 8, is essentially the same as one the country proposed in 2015: a 43% reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2030 and net neutrality by 2060. — Tim Mcdonnell, Quartz, "Brazil is holding the climate hostage for $10 billion annually," 11 Dec. 2020 When Democrats were in power, Pai fought against the Obama-era FCC's decisions to adopt consumer-protection rules such as net neutrality and broadband-privacy regulations. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "Ajit Pai announces departure from FCC after four-year deregulatory blitz," 30 Nov. 2020 Since being elevated to the chairmanship by President Donald Trump in 2017, Pai, a Republican, has led the commission in dismantling net neutrality regulations and pushed for fast wireless broadband service. — Todd Shields, Fortune, "FCC chief who ended net neutrality says he’ll quit on Jan. 20," 30 Nov. 2020 During his first term, Americans have watched his administration relish the opportunity to destroy net neutrality—the core principle of a free and open internet. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, "The Internet Trump Built," 30 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'net neutrality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

8 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Net neutrality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/net%20neutrality. Accessed 17 Jan. 2021.