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

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

It was a deviation from standard procedures during a routine firewall upgrade that caused the outage, Optus said after the incident.

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Her assertions aside, if there had been anything left of the once-strong firewall between the department and the White House – long considered sacrosanct by presidents of both parties – it is now gone.

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Explosions ripped through firewalls and engulfed much of the platform, including the control room and accommodation blocks - which were meant to be fireproof and safe.

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A firewall is installed during schools hours so only class work can be accessed.

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We must begin to consider whether the right to sense — beyond the curated fragments offered by corporate firewalls — should be considered among the rights of conscious digital beings.

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