network

noun

net·work | \ˈnet-ˌwərk

Definition of network

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 network …— Joseph Addison

2 : a system of lines or channels resembling a network a telephone network a network of blood vessels

3a : 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

4a : 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

verb

networked; networking; networks

Definition of network (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to cover with or as if with a network a continent … so networked with navigable rivers and canals — Lamp

2 chiefly British : to distribute for broadcast on a television network also : broadcast sense 3

3 : to join (things, such as computers) in a network

intransitive verb

: to engage in networking

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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: Noun

Motivate, which Lyft says accounts for about 80 percent of bike-share trips in the US, also operates networks in Chicago, Boston, Washington, DC, Portland (Oregon), Columbus, and Minneapolis. — Sean O'kane, The Verge, "Lyft buys the biggest bike-sharing company in the US," 2 July 2018 Thus Chambon-sur-Lignon, linked to Protestant aid networks in the United States and Switzerland, was ready for the victims of fascism. — Lucian Perkins, Smithsonian, "This French Town Has Welcomed Refugees for 400 Years," 27 June 2018 Rescuers have resumed efforts to locate 12 boys and their soccer coach, who are missing in an extensive cave network in northern Thailand and are feared cut off by rising water levels. — Eli Meixler, Time, "Thai Divers Continue the Search For 12 Boys and Their Coach Trapped in a Flooded Cave. Here’s What to Know," 26 June 2018 The bitcoin network allows anyone to move millions of dollars across the world without any in-person meetings, and without the approval of any financial institutions. — BostonGlobe.com, "How Russian spies hid behind bitcoin in hacking campaign," 14 July 2018 With power out and the cellphone network largely destroyed, FEMA was operating in the dark. — Arelis R. Hernandez And Joel Achenbach, chicagotribune.com, "Failure of imagination hindered federal response to hurricanes that devastated Puerto Rico," 14 July 2018 Trump refused to take a question from the network's chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta. — Jeremy Barr, The Hollywood Reporter, "Trump in U.K.: "I Don't Take Questions From CNN"," 13 July 2018 The network has since greenlit a Roseanne spinoff without Barr. — Jodi Guglielmi, PEOPLE.com, "Laurie Metcalf Snags an Emmy Nomination for Roseanne After Cancellation," 12 July 2018 Disney agreed to sell the networks as a stipulation from the Justice Department so as to avoid an anti-competitive situation given the company’s ownership of ESPN. — Jacob Feldman, SI.com, "Five Potential Buyers for Fox's 22 Regional Sports Networks," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

It’s now known for its lineup of servers, storage hardware and networking gear. — Bloomberg, latimes.com, "Dell stock will trade publicly again, five years after leveraged buyout," 3 July 2018 International Cycling Executives was incorrectly called International Cycle Executives in an article in the Spring issue of Far & Away magazine about networking on bike rides. — WSJ, "Corrections & Amplifications," 21 June 2018 But do women’s networking groups drive bigger sales and increase your business? — Erin Arvedlund, Philly.com, "Hey, Philly's business women: New networking groups spring up just for you," 24 May 2018 Learn how to network Attend a workshop to discuss effective networking strategies for beginners. — Margeaux Sippell, BostonGlobe.com, "Business agenda," 20 June 2018 Other less-traditional perks include formal mentoring programs, various internal company networking and special-interest groups, and days when employees can bring their pets to work. — Russ Wiles, azcentral, "Arizona's largest employers have more workers than ever before, offer new incentives," 22 Apr. 2018 My elementary school classroom in the mid-1970s was outfitted with an early computer networked called PLATO. — Nancy Baym, WIRED, "Book Excerpt: How Music Fans Built the Internet," 10 July 2018 That helps them network their way into being a more successful business. — Michael Walsh, Courant Community, "Celebrate West Hartford Returns For 32nd Year," 9 June 2018 Gelman launched The Wing as an all-women’s co-working and networking hub back in late 2016, just a few weeks before the presidential election. — Anna Silman, The Cut, "Last Night, The Wing Welcomed Hillary Clinton Into Their Coven," 4 Apr. 2018

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