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Synonyms

social network

American  
[soh-shuhl net-wurk] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl ˈnɛtˌwɜrk /

noun

social networks plural
  1. a network of friends, colleagues, and other personal contacts.

    Strong social networks can encourage healthy behaviors.

  2. Digital Technology.

    1. an online community of people with a common interest who use a website or other technologies to communicate with each other and share information, resources, etc..

      a business-oriented social network.

    2. a website or online service that facilitates this communication.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of social network

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

While some use the site as a social network, I like to think of it as a personal diary.

From Salon Jul. 15, 2026

As Europe pushes for more tech sovereignty, social network W believes it has the X-factor to win users away from other platforms: it's European.

From Barron's Jun. 17, 2026

Bonobos distributed their grooming time more evenly among group members, creating a more egalitarian social network.

From Science Daily May 31, 2026

In a post on his social network X, Musk described the ruling as a terrible precedent and accused the judge of using the jury as a fig leaf.

From The Wall Street Journal May 18, 2026

He’s probably never been on a social network in his life.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

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