network

noun net·work \ ˈnet-ˌwərk \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 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

Dr Marra and his colleagues hope to use the planet’s 1m-kilometre network of undersea fibre-optic cables, which carry the internet from continent to continent (see map), as a giant submarine sensor.

— The Economist, "Submarine cables could be repurposed as earthquake detectors," 16 June 2018
Here are some more ideas from the C-Level network of leading executives.

— steve jagler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Jagler: You want to attract and keep good employees? Love them," 15 June 2018
On a larger scale, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a global network of infrastructure development projects, is projected to reach two-thirds of the world’s population, stretching from western China to Africa and Europe.

— matthew chitwood, The New Republic, "Tea and Tariffs in Rural Yunnan," 15 June 2018
Bitcoin are stored and moved around a global network of computers that allows for the system to work without relying on a central authority.

— New York Times, "Stephen Bannon Buys Into Bitcoin," 14 June 2018
The Families Belong Together site lists local events happening on June 14 as well as a network of supporting organizations to give money to.

— bridget read, Vogue, "Here’s How People Are Protesting the Trump Administration’s Border Separation Policies," 14 June 2018
Since the deal, Amazon has made the obvious moves, such as cutting prices and using the Whole Foods network of stores to ramp up its online grocery business.

— justin lahart, WSJ, "How Whole Foods Gives Amazon a Boost," 13 June 2018
But the statement made no specific pledges about the destruction of existing weapons or the dismantling of the sprawling network of factories and laboratories for making new ones.

— joby warrick, Washington Post, "North Korea’s dispersed and hidden weapons complex highlights the challenge of denuclearization," 13 June 2018
Under Johnson’s watch, Ingalls developed a network of ambulatory care centers in Calumet City, Crestwood, Flossmoor, South Holland and Tinley Park, and starting in 2015 led Ingalls to pursue a combination with University of Chicago Medicine.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Ingalls Hospital president to retire," 9 June 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

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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

Gay communities across America began to organize and network with each other, becoming larger and larger.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Vernon Edition," 12 June 2018
Shouldn’t network sports producers follow this lead on sideline reporters?

— norman chad, San Antonio Express-News, "World Cup without the U.S. isn’t surprising," 11 June 2018
Nora Barry belongs to many women’s networking groups in Center City, and was checking out the new chapter of Brazen last month.

— erin arvedlund, Philly.com, "Hey, Philly's business women: New networking groups spring up just for you," 24 May 2018
Participants will be able to network and learn about business growth and financing opportunities.

— margeaux sippell, BostonGlobe.com, "Business agenda," 7 May 2018
The social-networking company said in a blog post Friday that Cambridge Analytica received some user data through an app developer on its social network, violating its policies.

— sarah frier, Bloomberg.com, "Facebook Suspends Trump Election Data Firm for Policy Violations," 17 Mar. 2018
Learn the economics behind these apps while networking with other Allston-Brighton restaurant owners.

— margeaux sippell, BostonGlobe.com, "Business agenda," 24 Apr. 2018
The monthly Family Resource Center Grandparents Support Group offers grandparents a chance to learn about the resources available to them while networking and supporting each other.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 17 Apr. 2018
Explore options Kupchak will start networking this week in and around the NBA scouting combine now that the draft order is settled.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "Mitch Kupchak's lottery emotions? From bummed to relieved. His hope? Never again. | Charlotte Observer," 15 May 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