web

1 of 2

noun

1
: a fabric on a loom or in process of being removed from a loom
2
b
: a network of silken thread spun especially by the larvae of various insects (such as a tent caterpillar) and usually serving as a nest or shelter
3
: a tissue or membrane of an animal or plant
especially : that uniting fingers or toes either at their bases (as in humans) or for a greater part of their length (as in many waterbirds)
4
a
: a thin metal sheet, plate, or strip
b
: the plate connecting the upper and lower flanges of a girder or rail
c
: the arm of a crank
5
: something resembling a web:
a
: snare, entanglement
a web of intrigue
ensnarled in a web of follyD. A. Stockman
b
: an intricate pattern or structure suggestive of something woven : network
6
: the series of barbs on each side of the shaft of a feather : vane
7
a
: a continuous sheet of paper manufactured or undergoing manufacture on a paper machine
b
: a roll of paper for use in a rotary printing press
8
: the part of a ribbed vault between the ribs
9
or Web : world wide web
webbed adjective
weblike adjective

web

2 of 2

verb

webbed; webbing

intransitive verb

: to construct or form a web

transitive verb

1
: to cover with a web or network
2
3
: to provide with a web

Examples of web in a Sentence

Noun I spent the afternoon surfing the Web. The spider was spinning its web.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Miners are subject to a complex web of requirements underpinning hundreds of standards that sometimes overlap and conflict with one another. Yusuf Khan, WSJ, 23 Nov. 2023 Video From The New Yorker To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Stapleton is the rare country star with both traditional bona fides and broad commercial appeal. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023 One big hurdle for Bluesky to reach a bigger audience is that people can’t view links to posts without being signed in, so the upcoming public web interface should finally help alleviate that problem. Umar Shakir, The Verge, 16 Nov. 2023 Eduardo Gonzalez has been a web producer and writer at the Los Angeles Times since 2014. Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023 But a few weeks later, the firm was notified by an identity monitoring vendor that the data was available on the dark web. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 16 Nov. 2023 The top options include contacting customer support through the Starlink app or creating a support ticket in a web browser. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023 Video From The New Yorker To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Four years later, under Nathan Jones, who replaced Still as manager, the team finished second in League Two and was promoted to League One. Simon Akam, The New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2023 Few people used it; most of Spatial’s engagement was happening on mobile or in web browsers. WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023
Verb
The knit accessory features a button snap detail and webbing to remove with ease. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 14 Nov. 2023 The 2018 game famously lifted wholesale the fluid combat mechanics of the other big superhero series, Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy, trading in Batman’s billionaire kit for webbing. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2023 Tiny spider mites will leave small dots on foliage and can often be detected from webbing on the plant. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2023 The piece also featured a deep v-neckline with material that appeared like webbing from the top of the design all the way to the middle of her waist. Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 2 Sep. 2023 What seems like a simple series of pockets and compartments on webbing plays a critical role in keeping jobs and DIY projects running smoothly. Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2023 To control these insect pests, regularly prune off and destroy any buds that don’t unfurl properly. –Check plants for spider mites and blast any fine nets of webbing on the undersides of leaves with a strong jet of water, or apply insecticidal soap. Deanna Kizis, Sunset Magazine, 9 May 2023 The exterior walls were webbed with white roses cultivated from cuttings of Freud’s own flowers. Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023 It’s made from a durable polyester jacquard webbing that gently wraps around your foot’s natural contours. Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 13 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'web.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old Norse vefr web, Old English wefan to weave

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1604, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of web was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near web

Cite this Entry

“Web.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/web. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

web

1 of 2 noun
1
: a fabric on a loom or in the process of being removed from a loom
2
b
: a network of threads spun especially by the larvae of various insects (as tent caterpillars) and usually serving as a nest or shelter
c
: something that catches and holds one
spies caught in a web of plots
3
: a membrane of an animal or plant
especially : one uniting toes (as of many waterbirds)
4
5
capitalized : world wide web

web

2 of 2 verb
webbed; webbing
1
: to make or form a web
2
: to cover or provide with webs or a web

Medical Definition

web

noun
: a tissue or membrane of an animal or plant
especially : that uniting fingers or toes either at their bases (as in humans) or for a greater part of their length (as in many waterbirds)
webbed adjective

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