network

noun net·work \ ˈnet-ˌwərk \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Examples: network in a Sentence

Definition of network

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

3 a : an interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system

a network of hotels

b : a system of computers, peripherals, terminals (see ²terminal 2), and databases connected by communications lines

4 a : 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

See network defined for English-language learners

See network defined for kids

Examples of network in a Sentence

He hooked up his computer to the network.
The show is getting good ratings for the network.

Recent Examples of network from the Web

The telecommunications company has declared changes are coming for the network in a bid to increase subscriptions.

— john koblin, New York Times, "Emmy Nominations 2018: ‘Game of Thrones’ and Netflix Lead the Way," 13 July 2018
Compared with other regional cable networks in MLB markets, NESN has fared extremely well in the post-Curse era.

— chad finn, BostonGlobe.com, "The Sports Hub remains top-rated radio station in Boston," 12 July 2018
The merger will make KIPP Texas Public Schools, as the organization will now be known, the second-largest charter school network in Texas, behind IDEA Public Schools.

— jacob carpenter, Houston Chronicle, "KIPP’s four charter networks merge into single statewide group," 11 July 2018
Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia are home to one of the biggest cave networks in the United States.

— bo emerson, ajc, "Cave rescuers in Southeast watch their Thai colleagues with admiration," 10 July 2018
Pederson hopes to build the program’s chef-mentor network so students can have a better idea of the expectations of restaurants, while chefs gain a better idea of what the students are bringing to the table.

— grace wong, chicagotribune.com, "Silver Fork teaches culinary skills, confidence," 9 July 2018
As will those at Hired, an online job search network in San Francisco that employs 200 people.

— rebecca greenfield, latimes.com, "Employers are finally ready to talk about how much they pay," 6 July 2018
Who might buy the 22 regional sports networks that Fox and Disney have pledged to sell in order to receive Justice Department approval?

— claire atkinson, NBC News, "Madison Square Garden chief thinks Fox's RSNs might be a tough sell (but that doesn't mean he isn't interested)," 5 July 2018
Daisy escaped from her yard on June 20 and got lost, Adams told the network.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "This video of a lost dog reuniting with its owner could also have you dancing in delight," 5 July 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.

First Known Use of network

1530

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

network Synonyms

Synonyms

body, bunch, circle, clan, clique, community, coterie, coven, crowd, fold, gang, lot, pack, ring, set;

Related Words

charmed circle, elite, in-group;

club, college, fellowship, guild (also gild), league, organization, society;

camp, faction, sect, side, tribe;

mess, squad;

brotherhood, fraternity, order, sisterhood, sodality, sorority;

commune;

alliance, bloc, coalition, confederation, congress, council, federation, union;

Other Computer-Related Terms

adware, flash, kludge, phishing, recursive, router

network

verb

Definition of network

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 3

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

intransitive verb

: to engage in networking

—

networker

play \ˈnet-ˌwər-kər\ noun

See network defined for English-language learners

Examples of network in a Sentence

The computers are networked to one main server.
She spent the day networking with other executives.

Recent Examples of network from the Web

Twitter, like its main social-networking rival Facebook , has been cracking down on fake and suspicious accounts.

— dan gallagher, WSJ, "Twitter’s Wings Needed a Clip," 9 July 2018
The review on diversity training recommended offering other diversity initiatives like follow-up mentoring sessions and networking groups.

— chicagotribune.com, "Why one-day diversity training like Starbucks did is not enough," 1 June 2018
In 2013, the FTC sued social-networking app Path over collecting address book information from iPhones and Android phones without user consent.

— mark gurman, Anchorage Daily News, "Apple cracks down on apps sharing information on users' friends," 12 June 2018
Silva’s research is important because most job referrals and networking in corporate America is intraracial.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Study: You’re More Likely to Be Hired if You’re Referred by Someone White," 12 June 2018
The annual meeting consisted of all day learning and networking activities followed by evening events at the Louisville Palace and an awards ceremony honoring top performing associates at Ice House with an after party at Fourth Street Live.

— jessica levy, Cincinnati.com, "This commercial real estate company operates like a startup," 8 June 2018
The post-play reception begins at 5 p.m., followed by a Carolina BBQ dinner, awards and the Chamber's June Business After Hours networking event.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Valley Edition," 5 June 2018
Robinson said home-networking vendors will be able to comply with EasyMesh and still differentiate their products with unique features or performance.

— michael brown, PCWorld, "Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi EasyMesh certification aims to standardize mesh networks," 14 May 2018
And all-week seminars, networking events and forums with tech tools and resources will be offered.

— marcia pledger, cleveland.com, "Tech Week to celebrate, collaborate with regional innovators (photos)," 11 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of network

1845

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

NETWORK Defined for English Language Learners

network

noun

Definition of network for English Language Learners

: a system of lines, wires, etc., that are connected to each other
: a system of computers and other devices (such as printers) that are connected to each other
: a group of people or organizations that are closely connected and that work with each other

network

verb

Definition of network for English Language Learners

: to connect (computers) in a way that allows information and equipment to be shared
: to talk with people whose jobs are similar to yours especially for business opportunities or advice