1
: a fabric on a loom or in process of being removed from a loom
2
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 folly—
D. A. Stockman
D. 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; webbing
: to construct or form a web
Synonyms
Examples of web in a Sentence
Noun
I spent the afternoon surfing the Web.
The spider was spinning its web.
Recent Examples on the WebYusuf 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
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
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
Phrases Containing web
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.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
web
1 of 2 noun1
: a fabric on a loom or in the process of being removed from a loom
2
a
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
More from Merriam-Webster on web
Nglish: Translation of web for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of web for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about web
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