network

American  

[net-wurk] / ˈnɛtˌwɜrk /

noun

1. any netlike combination of filaments, lines, veins, passages, or the like.

   a network of arteries; a network of sewers under the city.

2. Radio and Television.

   1. a group of transmitting stations linked by wire or microwave relay so that the same program can be broadcast or telecast by all.

   2. a company or organization that provides programs to be broadcast over these stations.

      She was hired by the network as program coordinator.

3. Telecommunications, Computers. a system containing any combination of computers, computer terminals, printers, audio or visual display devices, or telephones interconnected by telecommunication equipment or cables: used to transmit or receive information.

4. an association of individuals having a common interest, formed to provide mutual assistance, helpful information, or the like.

   a network of recent college graduates.

5. a system of interrelated buildings, offices, stations, etc., especially over a large area or throughout a country, territory, region, etc..

   a network of supply depots.

6. Electricity. an arrangement of conducting elements, as resistors, capacitors, or inductors, connected by conducting wire.

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verb (used without object)

1. to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position.

   His business lunches were taken up with networking.

verb (used with object)

1. to place (as a program from a local radio or television station) in or on a network.

   The station will try to network the local cooking show.

2. to connect to a network.

   Our freelancers are networked to the same system as our regular employees.

3. to distribute widely.

   We charge a small fee for networking your résumé.

4. to cover with or as if with a network.

   to network a bay with buoys.

5. to organize into a network.

   to network the state's independent stations.

6. to broadcast (a program) over a radio or television network.

network British  

/ ˈnɛtˌwɜːk /

noun

1. an interconnected group or system

   a network of shops

2. Also: net.  a system of intersecting lines, roads, veins, etc

3. another name for net 1 netting

4. radio television a group of broadcasting stations that all transmit the same programme simultaneously

5. electronics a system of interconnected components or circuits

6. computing a system of interconnected computer systems, terminals, and other equipment allowing information to be exchanged

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verb

1. (tr) radio television to broadcast on stations throughout the country

   the Scotland–England match was networked

2. computing (of computers, terminals, etc) to connect or be connected

3. (intr) to form business contacts through informal social meetings

network Scientific  

/ nĕt′wûrk′ /

1. A system of computers and peripherals, such as printers, that are linked together. A network can consist of as few as two computers connected with cables or millions of computers that are spread over a large geographical area and are connected by telephone lines, fiberoptic cables, or radio waves. The Internet is an example of very large network.

2. See more at LAN WAN

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network Cultural  

1. A system of computers that are joined together so that they can communicate by exchanging information and sharing resources. (See Internet and lan.)

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Other Word Forms

• networker noun
• nonnetwork adjective
• subnetwork noun
• supernetwork noun

Etymology

Origin of network

First recorded in 1550–60, and in 1910–15 network for def. 2; net ¹ + work

Example Sentences

For her kids, a home phone felt like a safer option—a social network with “training wheels,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Allen’s shows are significantly less expensive to produce than the traditional sofa-and-desk format for a major TV network, which have traditionally used high-priced hosts, live bands and substantial writing staffs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

CalMac warned of further disruption across the network due to adverse weather and urged anyone travelling to check their journey.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

McCardel earned an undergraduate degree in network science from Northwestern University.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

The forbidding complex of twenty buildings employed 7,000 people; by some estimates, the Stasi archives contained more than one billion documents describing the vast network of spies and informers cultivated over four decades.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• chain
• grid
• net
• organization
• structure
• system
• web