Internet of Things

noun phrase

: the networking capability that allows information to be sent to and received from objects and devices (such as fixtures and kitchen appliances) using the Internet

The Internet of Things really comes together with the connection of sensors and machines. That is to say, the real value that the Internet of Things creates is at the intersection of gathering data and leveraging it. All the information gathered by all the sensors in the world isn't worth very much if there isn't an infrastructure in place to analyze it in real time.

—Daniel Burrus

Extend the … example to the Internet of Things, where any interaction with a connected object has the potential of teaching something new to every connected object, and the immense scaling of networked machine learning becomes almost unimaginable.

—Scott Santens

As many as 50 billion devices will be online by the end of the decade. Along with smart thermostats and appliances, this so-called Internet of Things (IoT) includes swaths of tiny sensors that track everything from steps and calories to humidity and light.

—Corinne Iozzio

—abbreviation IoT

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Internet of Things

noun

: the networking capability that allows information to be sent to and received from objects and devices (as fixtures and kitchen appliances) using the Internet