net·work
ˈnet-ˌwərk 
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
Joseph Addison2
: 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 and peripherals that are able to communicate with each other
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
networked; networking; networks
1
: to cover with or as if with a network
a continent … so networked with navigable rivers and canals—Lamp
Lamp2
3
: to join (things, such as computers) in a network
: to engage in networking
Synonyms
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 WebCynthia Howell, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2023
No network of antennas exists yet for optical lasers, so NASA needs new dedicated infrastructure on Earth.
—Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Live airings from the Nashville studio recording sessions run on HSN later today, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., as the network pre-sells merchandise and their version of the record in the lead-up to the album’s November release.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2023
Meanwhile, Zaslav’s micromanaging of the network’s coverage has alarmed its editorial team.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2023
Separately, researchers claim to have discovered a propaganda network of 67 accounts posting false and inflammatory content about the war.
—Jon Porter, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2023
Executives at the Paramount Global network are said to be eager to study audience research and get another look at how a few personalities handle the job.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 12 Oct. 2023
It is run not by a local school board or charter network, but by the Defense Department.
—Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2023
In October 2022, Donald Trump, the once and possibly future president, spoke to Real America’s Voice, a multimedia network.
—David Harsanyi, National Review, 12 Oct. 2023
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2023
In the five years since Rotten Tomatoes launched its Critics Outreach and Grant Program, the platform has given more than $600,000 to diversify the field of entertainment criticism, including $500,000 to media inclusion scholarships and other initiatives and $100,000 for networking events.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2023
This 4-day immersive, educational experience seeks to inspire, motivate, and empower 100 high school students through interactive career workshops, motivational speaker panels, and networking with business leaders, influencers, celebrities and Disney cast members.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 28 Sep. 2023
The messages detailed the depth of the relationship between the two men, including exchanges about women, dinners at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and networking with world leaders.
—Byhannah Levitt, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2023
Murphey, from Cabot, is majoring in computer systems and networking technology.
—Eula Calahan, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2023
In addition to the live performances and a silent auction, attendees at the gala can network with high-level Industry executives, promoters, agents and managers.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2023
In a demonstration next year, they will be networked together with a microgrid orchestrator.
—Maximiliano Ferrari, IEEE Spectrum, 16 Sep. 2023
With international students making up 80% of the cohort, the rich global diversity of the classroom also provides unique networking possibilities.
—Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2023
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Noun
The Arkansas school would be part of a network of 26 charters schools serving 18,000 students in Florida, Nevada and Idaho.
—Cynthia Howell, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2023
No network of antennas exists yet for optical lasers, so NASA needs new dedicated infrastructure on Earth.
—Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Live airings from the Nashville studio recording sessions run on HSN later today, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., as the network pre-sells merchandise and their version of the record in the lead-up to the album’s November release.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2023
Meanwhile, Zaslav’s micromanaging of the network’s coverage has alarmed its editorial team.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2023
Separately, researchers claim to have discovered a propaganda network of 67 accounts posting false and inflammatory content about the war.
—Jon Porter, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2023
Executives at the Paramount Global network are said to be eager to study audience research and get another look at how a few personalities handle the job.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 12 Oct. 2023
It is run not by a local school board or charter network, but by the Defense Department.
—Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2023
In October 2022, Donald Trump, the once and possibly future president, spoke to Real America’s Voice, a multimedia network.
—David Harsanyi, National Review, 12 Oct. 2023
Verb
The event will also offer networking opportunities with theater professionals, panel discussions and community-building opportunities.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2023
In the five years since Rotten Tomatoes launched its Critics Outreach and Grant Program, the platform has given more than $600,000 to diversify the field of entertainment criticism, including $500,000 to media inclusion scholarships and other initiatives and $100,000 for networking events.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2023
This 4-day immersive, educational experience seeks to inspire, motivate, and empower 100 high school students through interactive career workshops, motivational speaker panels, and networking with business leaders, influencers, celebrities and Disney cast members.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 28 Sep. 2023
The messages detailed the depth of the relationship between the two men, including exchanges about women, dinners at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and networking with world leaders.
—Byhannah Levitt, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2023
Murphey, from Cabot, is majoring in computer systems and networking technology.
—Eula Calahan, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2023
In addition to the live performances and a silent auction, attendees at the gala can network with high-level Industry executives, promoters, agents and managers.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2023
In a demonstration next year, they will be networked together with a microgrid orchestrator.
—Maximiliano Ferrari, IEEE Spectrum, 16 Sep. 2023
With international students making up 80% of the cohort, the rich global diversity of the classroom also provides unique networking possibilities.
—Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'network.' 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
Noun
1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1845, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing network
Dictionary Entries Near network
Cite this Entry
“Network.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/network. Accessed 23 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
network
1 of 2 noun
net·work
ˈnet-ˌwərk
1
: a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross with even spacings
2
: a system of lines or channels resembling a network
3
: a group or system of related or connected parts
especially
: a group of connected radio or television stations
4
: a system of computers connected by communications lines
network
2 of 2 verb1
: to cover with or join into a network
2
: to join together in a network
networked the classroom's computers
Medical Definition
network
noun
net·work
ˈnet-ˌwərk
1
: a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross at regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings
2
: a system of lines or channels resembling a network
a network of veins
More from Merriam-Webster on network
Nglish: Translation of network for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of network for Arabic Speakers
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