VPN

American  

Computers.

1. virtual private network: a system or technology that uses a public network, usually the internet, to transmit encrypted data between a private network and a remote authorized user.

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VPN British  

abbreviation

1. virtual private network: a network that uses the internet to transfer information using secure methods

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Etymology

Origin of VPN

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

VPN speeds depend on multiple factors — some of which are out of the VPN provider’s hands, such as your local network conditions.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

It also includes its MediaStreamer feature for devices that don’t support VPN.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

User intervention is required to turn that off and ExpressVPN does that, as do many other VPN providers.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

The main difference between the plans is the number of extra goodies you get alongside the VPN service.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

This VPN allows us to share the feed from the microphone, images from the session, the real-time script, and all the animation designs amongst all the locations with a simple log-in.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman