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
By comparison, Korean media companies are more open to anime productions with Japanese counterparts, using Korean comics, web novels and webtoons to supply much of the content. Mark Schilling, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024 While Social Security numbers can be bought for $1 on the dark web and credit card numbers for $5, a single medical record can command $1,000. Jonathan Slotkin and David Vawdrey, STAT, 14 Mar. 2024 Payne previously worked in the military as a communications technician and then as an electronics engineer and web developer. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2024 Picture-in-picture viewing is also slated for Google Home for web. Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 13 Mar. 2024 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that Styled by Tara Swennen, the actor’s latest looks nod to some of the hottest trends from the catwalks in recent months. Alex Kessler, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Emma Stone and Sally Field are still caught in Spider-Man’s web. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 The first reversal came earlier this month when Apple meekly agreed to let home screen web apps continue functioning as intended on iPhones. David Meyer, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 Apple is reversing course on a plan to discontinue supporting the installation of progressive web apps in the European Union. Emma Roth, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
With her spearmint webbed Reem Acra gown, the heiress and occasional singer and DJ carried a like-colored clutch emblazoned with — what else? — her last name. The Styles Desk, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024 Gucci Suede and Shearling Bag $3,790 at Gucci Standouts from Gucci’s Après-Ski collection include goggles with a striped webbing strap, sporty-chic jacket and pant sets, and cozy shearling accessories such as this Horsebit 1955 suede and shearling bag. Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Jan. 2024 Their feet may point down and inward, and two of their middle toes are webbed. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2023 The grounds are webbed with paths that often feel like hiking trails covered with pavement. Oliver Whang, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2023 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

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 18 Mar. 2024.

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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