plural VPNs
: a private computer network that functions over a public network : virtual private network
As more employees connect to their office networks from home, they expose the company to attack. A VPN lets companies use the Internet as a secure pathway into their existing network.Michael Bertin
VPNs help cloak your browsing information from your internet provider. When you use VPN software, your device connects to a VPN provider's servers. That way, all your web traffic passes through the VPN provider's internet connection.Brian X. Chen

Examples of VPN in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The switch to IPVanish from the previous partner, Hotspot Shield VPN, broadens your choices for VPN protocol. PCMAG, 17 Dec. 2024 Users who are able to use a virtual private network (VPN) to change their local IP address, however, may have a good chance of getting around the ban by rerouting their connection through another country. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 Trust is not assumed just because a request is coming from inside the office network or over the VPN. Deepak Bhaskaran, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 One powerful tool that every trader should consider is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for VPN 

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of VPN was in 1984

Dictionary Entries Near VPN

Cite this Entry

“VPN.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/VPN. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

VPN

noun
ˌvē-ˌpē-ˈen
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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