Internet

noun

In·​ter·​net ˈin-tər-ˌnet How to pronounce Internet (audio)
variants or internet
: an electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world
used with the except when being used attributively
doing research on the Internet
an Internet search

Note: In U.S. publications, the capitalized form Internet continues to be more common than internet, although the lowercase form is rapidly gaining more widespread use. In British publications, internet is now the more common form.

compare world wide web

Examples of Internet 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.
In no case does AT&T guarantee particular minimum speeds for AT&T Internet Air services. Kara McGinley, USA Today, 24 June 2025 In the 1990s, when the internet was still in its infancy, Congress passed the Internet Tax Freedom Act, temporarily barring state and local taxes on online activity. Kristen Waggoner, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 Salt Typhoon members also had access to other types of Internet traffic, the WSJ reported. ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025 Or how about a mission like Landsat, which documents everything from water resources to farms and urban sprawl and makes its data freely available to anyone with an Internet connection? ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Internet

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Internet was in 1986

Cite this Entry

“Internet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Internet. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

Internet

noun
In·​ter·​net ˈint-ər-ˌnet How to pronounce Internet (audio)
: a communications system that connects computers and computer networks all over the world

More from Merriam-Webster on Internet

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