internet

American  

[in-ter-net] / ˈɪn tərˌnɛt /

Or Internet

noun

1. Usually the internet (except when used before a noun) a vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide: includes commercial, educational, governmental, and other networks, all of which use the same set of communications protocols.

   They advertised the sale in the local paper and on the internet.

   My insurance company offers incentives to refill prescriptions over the internet.

   Parents are advised to monitor their kids’ internet access and block websites with adult content.

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idioms

1. win the internet, to be or post an article, comment, etc., on the internet that is particularly good or that earns the approval of others (often used sarcastically).

   That perceptive tweet of his won the internet last night.

   Very funny, intelligent tirade—you win the internet!

2. break the internet,

   1. Slang. (of a story, image, etc.) to go viral online and suddenly dominate public interest and discourse.

      Creative marketing for her new album broke the internet.

   2. to cause internet technology or culture to change for the worse or cease to function.

      Could government surveillance and censorship break the internet forever?

internet British  

/ ˈɪntəˌnɛt /

noun

1. Also known as: the Net.  (sometimes with a capital) the single worldwide computer network that interconnects other computer networks, on which end-user services, such as World Wide Web sites or data archives, are located, enabling data and other information to be exchanged

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Internet Scientific  

/ ĭn′tər-nĕt′ /

1. A system connecting computers around the world using TCP/IP, which stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, a set of standards for transmitting and receiving digital data. The Internet consists primarily of the collection of billions of interconnected webpages that are transferred using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and are collectively known as the World Wide Web. The Internet also uses FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to transfer files, and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) to transfer e-mail.

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Internet Cultural  

1. The global communication network that allows almost all computers worldwide to connect and exchange information. Some of the early impetus for such a network came from the U.S. government network Arpanet, starting in the 1960s.

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Spelling

The lowercase form internet is now widely favored over the capitalized spelling Internet. Originally, the word was capitalized as a proper noun to distinguish the network that we now know (having developed from the large and specific U.S. Department of Defense ARPANET network) from smaller, more generic linked networks. Two major trends have eroded the former use of the capitalized form: the growing perception of the internet as a generic entity, and the general trend toward lowercase spelling and other shortcuts that minimize keystrokes in digital communication. Accordingly, the lowercase form internet was first embraced in digital media and informal writing. It was subsequently adopted by technology-related publications. Major newspapers and style guides have also now adopted the lowercase form internet as standard. The capitalized spelling may still be found in older published material or in some linguistically conservative publications. However, while either form is acceptable in writing (as long as it is used consistently), the lowercase spelling internet is the form best adapted to its evolving use.

Discover More

Some scholars have argued that the access to massive amounts of information, together with the widespread ability to communicate, has altered the way that human beings perceive reality.

Etymology

Origin of internet

First recorded in 1970–75; shortening of internetwork ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does internet compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• internet vs. intranet
• World Wide Web vs. internet
• interweb vs. internet

Explanation

The internet is a huge computer network made up of smaller computer networks. You're on the internet right now! When you visit a website for news, videos, social networking, email — or even this definition — you’re on the internet. The internet — which is usually, though not always, capitalized — connects computers, allowing you to send and receive information. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, email, and many other forms of communication could not exist without the internet, which uses TCP/IP network protocols. People get on the internet using computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. The Internet is also called cyberspace and the net.

Example Sentences

In a hyper-modern environment like the internet, so eager to eat itself alive in the pursuit of newness, the “End of Oak Street” fandom is delightfully prehistoric.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

Work on Meta Platforms’ 2Africa Pearls project—a massive effort to expand internet service across Africa, Europe, and Asia—was halted in early March.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The fandom is far more curious, knowledgeable and friendly than most corners of the internet are today.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

"They say they have facilitated the media. No doubt they have given 5G internet speeds," said journalist Nadir Guramani.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

The business experts on the internet wouldn’t be pleased.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller