router

¹ American  

[roo-ter, rou-] / ˈru tər, ˈraʊ- /

noun

1. a person or thing that routes.

2. a piece of hardware or software having a specific IP address and connected to network nodes for the transfer of data between computers.

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router ² American  

[rou-ter] / ˈraʊ tər /

noun

1. any of various tools or machines for routing, hollowing out, or furrowing.

2. Also called router plane.  Carpentry.  a plane for cutting interior angles, as at the bottom of a groove.

3. a machine or tool for cutting into or below a main surface, as of a die or engraving plate.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cut with a router.

router ¹ British  

/ ˈraʊtə /

noun

1. any of various tools or machines for hollowing out, cutting grooves, etc

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router ² British  

/ ˈruːtə /

noun

1. computing a device that allows packets of data to be moved efficiently between two points on a network

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router Scientific  

/ rou′tər /

1. A device in a network that handles message transfers between computers. A router receives information and forwards it based on what the router determines to be the most efficient route at the time of transfer.

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Etymology

Origin of router¹

First recorded in 1900–05; route + -er ¹

Origin of router¹

First recorded in 1840–50; rout ² + -er ¹

Example Sentences

What’s Next: Cisco said all next-generation products, including smart switches, secure routers, and WiFi 7 products, are ramping faster than prior product launches.

From Barron's

Cisco has taken advantage of the AI boom with its custom-designed Silicon One chips, which power the company’s advanced routers and switches.

From MarketWatch

Shares of the $168 billion switches, router and software maker for data centers are still hanging on to a 41% gain since our recommendation in June.

From Barron's

They contain servers, storage systems and network equipment like routers and firewalls, along with the necessary power and cooling systems to operate them.

From BBC

In electronics, a Wi-Fi router or Ethernet switch sends digital information from multiple input sources to the correct output port, ensuring every signal reaches its destination.

From Science Daily