Usenet

American  

[yooz-net, yoos‑] / ˈyuzˌnɛt, ˈyus‑ /

Or USENET

noun

1. Digital Technology. an extensive system of newsgroups: a branch of the internet.

---

Usenet British  

/ ˈjuːzˌnɛt /

noun

1. computing a vast collection of newsgroups that follow agreed naming, maintaining, and distribution practices

---

Etymology

Origin of Usenet

First recorded in 1980–85; use(rs) ¹ ( def. ) + net(work)

Example Sentences

That sharply limited the range of subjects people felt able to talk about on services like Usenet.

From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2021

Rose recalls hearing the debate as far back as 1999, in groups on Usenet, an internet discussion system.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 15, 2021

“There’s just this really, really clear line from the type of communication in the fanzines through to Usenet and the message boards and onto social media,” Prickman told me.

From Slate • Oct. 16, 2017

The gay-issues newsgroup    on Usenet is called soc.motss.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.0.0, 24 Jul 1996 by Raymond, Eric S.

Abbreviation of `You know you've been hacking too long when…', which became established on the Usenet group alt.folklore.computers during extended discussion of the indicated entry in the Jargon File.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.0.0, 24 Jul 1996 by Raymond, Eric S.