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 WebHannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Business-to-business music and streaming platform Tuned Global partnered with international travel media network Spafax, which provides content technology and media assets for airlines to power cleared music playlists in in-flight entertainment systems.
—Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2024
No network or streaming service is currently attached.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
Hunter Tubbs, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Gary, Maine, told Seacoast Online, part of the USA TODAY network, that periods of moderate to locally heavy snow were expected to continue until late morning, and may mix with rain again in the afternoon.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Everything to know as the jackpot cracks $1.09 billion
This year, Axis created a network of therapy providers to help address a shortage of therapists.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Now the network is welcoming the singer back with open arms.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
College students around the country are reportedly already using VPNs to get around efforts from some universities to ban TikTok on campus networks.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024
But settlers are trying to expand those settlements by building a network of smaller outposts, without Israeli government approval, and eating into more Palestinian land.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024
Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
The company also has a global diversity and inclusion council and employee networking groups.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
At this event, attendees can network with entrepreneurs involved with EY’s thriving communities.
—John Hall, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Barlow said the conference offers Black student leaders from predominately White universities a chance to network and share experiences and resources.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
Having a diagnosis can also lead you to support groups, where kids can make friends with others who share their disability, and parents can network with other caregivers to share resources and camaraderie.
—Suzie Glassman, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024
Tech innovators crammed into the grand ballroom of a downtown San Jose hotel Monday evening to network with each other during the Nvidia Inception Reception, hoping to pitch — and find — the next game-changer of an idea.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
Utilize resources like career services at local universities or community colleges, professional associations, and networking events to explore job opportunities outside your current organization.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
Workers have to network, stay active on LinkedIn, join message boards, and stand out.
—Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024
Noun
Here’s why the next one won’t be Jan. 17, 2024
Taiwan also benefits from a dense network of earthquake sensors all around the island.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Business-to-business music and streaming platform Tuned Global partnered with international travel media network Spafax, which provides content technology and media assets for airlines to power cleared music playlists in in-flight entertainment systems.
—Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2024
No network or streaming service is currently attached.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
Hunter Tubbs, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Gary, Maine, told Seacoast Online, part of the USA TODAY network, that periods of moderate to locally heavy snow were expected to continue until late morning, and may mix with rain again in the afternoon.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Everything to know as the jackpot cracks $1.09 billion
This year, Axis created a network of therapy providers to help address a shortage of therapists.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Now the network is welcoming the singer back with open arms.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
College students around the country are reportedly already using VPNs to get around efforts from some universities to ban TikTok on campus networks.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024
But settlers are trying to expand those settlements by building a network of smaller outposts, without Israeli government approval, and eating into more Palestinian land.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024
Verb
The site will be networked to Goldcrest’s base in Manhattan.
—Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
The company also has a global diversity and inclusion council and employee networking groups.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
At this event, attendees can network with entrepreneurs involved with EY’s thriving communities.
—John Hall, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Barlow said the conference offers Black student leaders from predominately White universities a chance to network and share experiences and resources.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
Having a diagnosis can also lead you to support groups, where kids can make friends with others who share their disability, and parents can network with other caregivers to share resources and camaraderie.
—Suzie Glassman, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024
Tech innovators crammed into the grand ballroom of a downtown San Jose hotel Monday evening to network with each other during the Nvidia Inception Reception, hoping to pitch — and find — the next game-changer of an idea.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
Utilize resources like career services at local universities or community colleges, professional associations, and networking events to explore job opportunities outside your current organization.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
Workers have to network, stay active on LinkedIn, join message boards, and stand out.
—Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024
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 16 Apr. 2024.
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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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