web

1 of 2

noun

ˈweb 

1

: a fabric on a loom or in process of being removed from a loom

2

a

: cobweb, spiderweb

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 folly

—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

ˈwebd 

adjective

weblike

ˈweb-ˌlīk 

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

: ensnare, entangle

3

: to provide with a web

Synonyms of web

Noun

• tangle
• net
• trap
• labyrinth
• maze
• entanglement
• morass
• noose
• quicksand
• snare

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

Hubble’s images reveal an intricate web of gas and dust spreading outward from the explosion’s center, where a rapidly spinning neutron star remains. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

Even before the attacks, Russian space officials said demand for Soyuz rockets were exceeding the production capacity, Russian Space Web reports. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

The classic design features webbing straps that hug the foot to keep your feet comfortably in place all day, while the shoe’s footbed has three layers of cushioning to maximize comfort and reduce impact. — Melony Forcier, Southern Living, 29 July 2026

Colorful spider webbing decor that strikes the Summerween balance, spooky enough for Halloween and bright enough for summer. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing web

• dark web
• deep web
• food web
• orb web
• spider's web
• web belt
• web crawler
• web member
• web-offset
• web page
• web press
• web site
• web spinner

Rhymes for web

• deb
• ebb
• cobweb

Kids Definition

web

1 of 2 noun

ˈweb 

1

: a fabric on a loom or in the process of being removed from a loom

2

a

: cobweb sense 1b, spiderweb

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

: network sense 2

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

ˈweb 

: 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

ˈwebd 

adjective