virtual private network

noun

plural virtual private networks

: a private computer network that functions over a public network (such as the Internet) and usually utilizes data encryption to provide secure access to something (such as an internal business server or private network)

He persuaded its users to communicate through a virtual private network, or VPN, a secure channel that sends encrypted messages between computers …

—James Verini

Tony, like all savvy Internet thieves, uses a virtual private network that masks his computer's true Internet Protocol address every time he logs on.

—Joe Light

called also VPN

Examples of virtual private network in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s misleading, the FTC said, since customers who know how prices are set could take defensive measures, such as using a private browsing session or a virtual private network to mask their browsing history. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026

Consumers can prevent companies from collecting data on their shopping habits by using a virtual private network, or VPN, or a private browser, for example. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Controllers that use the internet may access it directly, or go through protective firewalls, secure gateways or virtual private networks. — William Akoto, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

But some of its employees reportedly still worked from the US — and Americans could still use it to place bets thanks to virtual private networks, which cloak users’ locations. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for virtual private network

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

virtual private network

noun

: a private computer network that functions over a public network (as the Internet) and usually uses data encryption to provide secure access to something (as an internal business server)