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  

/ 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 ² British  

/ ˈraʊtə /

noun

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

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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

See Examples For:

router

Connected devices routinely send information back to the router to help optimize wireless communication.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026

Since our move coincided with Amazon’s Prime Day sale, I timed a few purchases accordingly and saved a combined $21.50 on the router and some household essentials.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

The US company Shaper makes a handheld CNC router, as well as digital solutions that allow for straightforward scanning and designing before cutting.

From BBC ● May 11, 2026

Officials at other agencies pursued a ban on a China-linked router maker by styling it as an order that doesn’t name the company or China.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

“Finally,” I gasped as the router finished booting and my phone connected to the Wi-Fi.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows