peer-to-peer

American  

[peer-tuh-peer] / ˈpɪər təˈpɪər /

adjective

1. involving direct contact or exchange between individuals of a similar rank or position; person-to-person: P2P

   Studies have shown that peer-to-peer tutoring increases student performance across a range of subjects.

2. describing a computer network in which each node has the capacity to act as a server for all other nodes, allowing the exchange of information without a centralized server. P2P

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peer-to-peer British  

adjective

1. P2P. (of a computer network) designed so that computers can send information directly to one another without passing through a centralized server

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Etymology

Origin of peer-to-peer

First recorded in 1960–65

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peer-to-peer

Banks typically protect up to $250,000 in consumer accounts with insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation — a safety net that most peer-to-peer transaction apps lack.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

PayPal’s peer-to-peer payment app Venmo may be particularly desirable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

Checkout sites from a fraudulent website will often ask for payment in the form of cryptocurrency, peer-to-peer payment systems or cash apps.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026

For torrenting and peer-to-peer file sharing, a VPN can safeguard users’ identities and activity, making file sharing safer and more secure.

From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026

But there are two key things to understand about peer-to-peer networks.

From The Public Domain Enclosing the Commons of the Mind by James Boyle

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