Internet

noun

In·​ter·​net ˈin-tər-ˌnet 

variants or internet

: an electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world

—used with the except when being used attributively

doing research on the Internet

an Internet search

Note: In U.S. publications, the capitalized form Internet continues to be more common than internet, although the lowercase form is rapidly gaining more widespread use. In British publications, internet is now the more common form.

compare world wide web

Examples of Internet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Readers are urged to report any such incidents to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov as soon as possible. —Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

Fiber optic cable Internet service became available at my home months ago. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025

In no case does AT&T guarantee particular minimum speeds for AT&T Internet Air services. —Kara McGinley, USA Today, 24 June 2025

In the 1990s, when the internet was still in its infancy, Congress passed the Internet Tax Freedom Act, temporarily barring state and local taxes on online activity. —Kristen Waggoner, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Internet

• Internet of Things
• Internet service provider
• the Internet
• Voice over Internet Protocol

Rhymes for Internet

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset

Kids Definition

Internet

noun

In·​ter·​net ˈint-ər-ˌnet 

: a communications system that connects computers and computer networks all over the world