net

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈnet 

1

a

: 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

4

a

: 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

netless

ˈnet-ləs 

adjective

netlike

ˈnet-ˌlīk 

adjective

netty

ˈne-tē 

adjective

net

2 of 5

verb (1)

netted; netting

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

4

a

: 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

netter noun

net

3 of 5

adjective

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

4 of 5

verb (2)

netted; netting

transitive verb

1

a

: to receive by way of profit : clear

b

: to produce by way of profit : yield

2

: to get possession of : gain

net

5 of 5

noun (2)

1

: a net amount, profit, weight, or price

2

: the golf score in a handicap match after deducting the player's handicap from the gross score

3

: essence, gist

Synonyms of net

Noun (1)

• netting

Verb (1)

• trap
• tangle

Verb (2)

• earn
• gain

Noun (2)

• profit
• earnings
• proceeds

Examples of net in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the basketball didn't go into the basket—it just hit the net

drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police

caught in a net of palace intrigues

Verb (1)

the kite was stubbornly netted in the branches of the willow tree

a police sting that netted drug dealers from all parts of the city

Adjective

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

Verb (2)

the entrepreneur netted millions on that deal

Noun (2)

his net for the year was about 60% of his total income

the net of the report on race relations is that things are better but not good enough

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While the rest of the fashion industry has yet to stage a meaningful recovery, couture is thriving, supported by high-net-worth clients whose appetite for exclusivity and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship remains strong. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026

The partnership with Musique & Vin au Clos Vougeot puts Sotheby’s at the heart of the ultra-high-net-worth community of wine collectors—many of whom buy art and other luxury assets. — George Nelson For Artnews, Robb Report, 9 July 2026

Verb

Democrats must net four Senate seats to gain control of the 100-member chamber, and party leaders viewed Maine as a critical piece of the puzzle, along with Alaska, Ohio and North Carolina. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

While costar Martin Short has been nominated for lead actor in a comedy series every year since the cozy mystery comedy debuted in 2021, Martin and Gomez have only netted one nomination each over the show's long run. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Adjective

This rise occurred even as renewables met the entire net increase in global electricity generation, indicating non-power sectors like transport and industry are driving emissions. — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

The bank added that S&P 500 companies are generating less free cash flow relative to net income compared to historical trends. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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 entry 1

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing net

• cast/spread one's net wide
• dip net
• drift net
• fly net
• gill net
• life net
• mist net
• mosquito net
• nerve net
• net neutrality
• net-veined
• net-winged
• net-zero
• pound net
• safety net
• slip/fall through the net

Rhymes for net

• bet
• brett
• debt
• et
• fret
• get
• jet
• let
• lett
• met
• nett
• pet

Kids Definition

net

1 of 5 noun

ˈnet 

1

: a fabric made of threads, cords, ropes, or wires that weave in and out with much open space

2

: something made of net: as

a

: a device for catching fish, birds, or insects

b

: a fabric barricade which divides a court in half (as in tennis or badminton)

c

: the fabric that encloses the sides and back of the goal (as in hockey or soccer)

3

: something that traps like a net

a net of thorns

4

: a network of lines, fibers, or figures

5

often capitalized : internet

netlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

netted

ˈnet-əd

adjective

net

2 of 5 verb

netted; netting

1

: to cover with or as if with a net

2

: to catch in or as if in a net

net fish

3

: to hit the ball into the net in a racket game

netter noun

net

3 of 5 adjective

: free from all charges or deductions

net profit

net weight

net

4 of 5 verb

netted; netting

: to gain or produce as profit

netted five dollars on the sale

net

5 of 5 noun

: a net amount, profit, weight, or price

Etymology

Noun

Old English nett "net fabric"

Adjective

from earlier net "neat," from Middle English net "clean, bright," derived from Latin nitidus "bright, lustrous" — related to neat see Word History at neat

Medical Definition

net

noun

ˈnet 

: network

in the portal system, blood passes through two capillary nets

—E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu

Legal Definition

net

adjective

: remaining after deduction of all charges, outlay, or loss

the net proceeds

compare gross

Etymology

Adjective

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