router

¹ 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 ² 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 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 1840–50; rout ² + -er ¹

Origin of router²

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

Example Sentences

The new technique instead takes advantage of normal communication between WiFi routers and connected devices.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

Jeffrey Chao, founder and chief executive who lives in California, said the FCC requirement applies equally to all manufacturers and TP-Link plans to start making routers in the US.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Earlier this week, the Federal Communications Commission banned foreign-made commercial Wi-Fi routers, many manufactured in China and Vietnam.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

One exception to the general absence of US-made routers is the newer Starlink WiFi router.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

And, after that, Neal went to Foundry Networks, which made routers and switches—essential pieces of technology to deliver Internet traffic.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel