router

1 of 3

noun (1)

rout·​er ˈrau̇-tər 

: one that routs: such as

a

: a routing plane

b

: a machine with a revolving vertical spindle and cutter for milling out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 3

noun (2)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər  ˈrau̇- 

: one that routes

especially : a device that mediates the transmission routes of data packets over an electronic communications network (such as the Internet)

router

3 of 3

noun (3)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər  ˈrau̇- 

: a horse trained for distance races

Examples of router in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With full support for WireGuard and OpenVPN (DCO support) on board, the router can achieve up to 1100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps, respectively. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

The concept is somewhat similar to the MIMO technology used in modern Wi-Fi routers and cellular networks, but applied at a satellite scale. —New Atlas, 30 May 2026

For now, only a few US companies, such as Netgear, Amazon’s eero and Adtran, along with Nokia Corporation, have received short-term exemptions to the ban, giving them an 18-month window to receive FCC authorization to sell their new router models in the US. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026

Devices like modems, routers, and TVs are especially vulnerable to voltage spikes, even if they’re turned off. —Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 20 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

rout entry 4 + -er entry 2

Noun (2)

route entry 2 + -er entry 2

Noun (3)

route entry 1 (in sense "race of a mile or more") + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1818, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1903, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for router

• neuter
• pewter
• scooter
• shooter
• suitor
• tutor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer

Kids Definition

router

1 of 2 noun

rout·​er ˈrau̇t-ər 

: a machine for cutting out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 2 noun

rout·​er ˈrüt-ər 

ˈrau̇t-

: one that routes

especially : a device that sends data from one place to another within a computer network or between computer networks