firewall

or fire wall

[ fahyuhr-wawl ]

noun

1. a partition made of fireproof material to prevent the spread of a fire from one part of a building or ship to another or to isolate an engine compartment, as on a plane, automobile, etc.
2. a person, thing, or event that acts as a barrier or protection against something undesirable:

   The new employee handbook should create a firewall against unethical business conduct.

3. Digital Technology. an integrated collection of security measures designed to prevent unauthorized electronic access to a networked computer system.

firewall

noun

1. a fireproof wall or partition used to impede the progress of a fire, as from one room or compartment to another
2. computing a computer system that isolates another computer from the internet in order to prevent unauthorized access

firewall

/ fîr′wôl′ /

1. A software program or hardware device that restricts communication between a private network or computer system and outside networks.

firewall

1. A means of separating a computer network from outside networks for security purposes. A server outside an organization's own network may be used to funnel all incoming and outgoing traffic to assist in keeping out viruses , as well as to prevent unauthorized outsiders from gaining access to a network.

Word History and Origins

Origin of firewall¹

An Americanism dating back to 1750–60

Example Sentences

In one example Marti gave, one external company with which CafeMedia shares data has an internal firewall set up that prevents commingling of some data from other sources, therefore restricting the information used to decide how the ad is targeted.

From Digiday

The study is behind a firewall for the Journal of Communication, but many libraries have access to it via the Oxford University Press Journals database.

From Time

The risk of infection and transmission doesn’t drop to zero with a pair of shots, but when combined with other measures, like wearing face masks, they become a firewall against transmission.

From Vox

Brands need the right software, and the right hands-on service, to prepare their data for optimal matching in processes that are kept entirely behind the marketer’s firewall, and under their own complete control and supervision.

From Digiday

While it’s not clear yet if Google will check your site for a firewall, you should have one in place either way.

From Search Engine Watch

He was referring to web censorship behind the Great Firewall.

From The Daily Beast

“We were very careful to build a firewall between that work and our work with independent journalists,” Bourgault said.

From The Daily Beast

Being one of the first people in the world to sell an internet firewall, he knows a thing or two about making a good investment.

From The Daily Beast

They could help, designing a software tool that would allow the Chinese to sneak past the government firewall.

From The Daily Beast

I think that the firewall between depression and psychosis is going to be erased.

From The Daily Beast

The inside door, much weaker than the outer firewall door, had been blown off its hinges.

From Project Gutenberg

He went out again, closing the firewall door behind him and dogging it tight.

From Project Gutenberg

He opened up the conduit boxes that led through the antechamber from the control console to the reactor beyond the firewall.

From Project Gutenberg

Moving quickly, he went over to the place where the control cables came in through the firewall.

From Project Gutenberg

That meant that whatever it was that had fouled up the controls was on the other side of the firewall.

From Project Gutenberg