net·work
ˈnet-ˌwərk 
1
: a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross at regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings
… ribbons, lace and embroidery wrought together in a most curious piece of network …—
Joseph Addison
Joseph Addison2
: a system of lines or channels resembling a network
a telephone network
a network of blood vessels
3
a
: an interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system
a network of hotels
b
: a system of computers and peripherals that are able to communicate with each other
4
a
: a group of radio or television stations linked by wire or radio relay
b
: a radio or television company that produces programs for broadcast over such a network
sold the show to a big network
5
: a usually informally interconnected group or association of persons (such as friends or professional colleagues)
a support network available to single mothers
a network of bird watchers
networked; networking; networks
1
: to cover with or as if with a network
a continent … so networked with navigable rivers and canals—Lamp
Lamp2
3
: to join (things, such as computers) in a network
: to engage in networking
Synonyms
Examples of network in a Sentence
Noun
He hooked up his computer to the network.
The show is getting good ratings for the network.
Verb
The computers are networked to one main server.
She spent the day networking with other executives.
Recent Examples on the WebTomohiko Taniguchi, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
In June, Warner Bros. announced that layoffs would hit TCM, including some of the network’s top executives, prompting concern from prestige directors such as Steven Spielberg, Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorsese.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Morning Edition host Michel Martin told me some colleagues at the network share Berliner's concerns that coverage is frequently presented through an ideological or idealistic prism that can alienate listeners.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024
Analysts note that the pro-Palestinian movement is now a sprawling network of groups, many of which have different views about what tactics are acceptable or effective.
—Tim Craig, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
The essay reignited the criticism that many prominent conservatives have long leveled against NPR and prompted newsroom leadership to implement monthly internal reviews of the network's coverage, NPR reported.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
After breaching government networks through SolarWinds software, Moscow’s operatives fooled Microsoft’s cloud platform into granting them expansive access.
—Eric Geller, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
Unfortunately, the network’s live coverage of the Masters golf tournament pushed back the start of the Joel concert’s airing, which meant that the climactic ending of the show was cut off for many viewers to throw to the local news.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2024
The series joins fellow ABC dramas 911, Grey’s Anatomy and Will Trent and comedy Abbott Elementary in securing a spot on the network’s schedule for 2024-25.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
Jack Dunn, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Additionally, platforms like Meetup and Eventbrite offer opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals in person through industry events, workshops, and networking meetups.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
Attend networking events, workshops, and conferences dedicated to women in business that offer opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and access to potential investors.
—Rohit Arora, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The period after your presentation should be spent accepting your accolades and networking with fellow professionals in your field.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
The job networking social media site was back up by the early evening.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 6 Mar. 2024
The site will be networked to Goldcrest’s base in Manhattan.
—Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
The company also has a global diversity and inclusion council and employee networking groups.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
At this event, attendees can network with entrepreneurs involved with EY’s thriving communities.
—John Hall, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
And yet policies aimed at bolstering Japan’s defense capabilities and expanding its alliance networks are now broadly popular, as indicated by a series of polls.
—Tomohiko Taniguchi, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
In June, Warner Bros. announced that layoffs would hit TCM, including some of the network’s top executives, prompting concern from prestige directors such as Steven Spielberg, Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorsese.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Morning Edition host Michel Martin told me some colleagues at the network share Berliner's concerns that coverage is frequently presented through an ideological or idealistic prism that can alienate listeners.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024
Analysts note that the pro-Palestinian movement is now a sprawling network of groups, many of which have different views about what tactics are acceptable or effective.
—Tim Craig, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
The essay reignited the criticism that many prominent conservatives have long leveled against NPR and prompted newsroom leadership to implement monthly internal reviews of the network's coverage, NPR reported.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
After breaching government networks through SolarWinds software, Moscow’s operatives fooled Microsoft’s cloud platform into granting them expansive access.
—Eric Geller, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
Unfortunately, the network’s live coverage of the Masters golf tournament pushed back the start of the Joel concert’s airing, which meant that the climactic ending of the show was cut off for many viewers to throw to the local news.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2024
The series joins fellow ABC dramas 911, Grey’s Anatomy and Will Trent and comedy Abbott Elementary in securing a spot on the network’s schedule for 2024-25.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
Verb
With over 120 employers present at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, the Autism in Entertainment Conference was one of the largest industry networking events for neurodivergent creatives.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Additionally, platforms like Meetup and Eventbrite offer opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals in person through industry events, workshops, and networking meetups.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
Attend networking events, workshops, and conferences dedicated to women in business that offer opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and access to potential investors.
—Rohit Arora, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The period after your presentation should be spent accepting your accolades and networking with fellow professionals in your field.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
The job networking social media site was back up by the early evening.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 6 Mar. 2024
The site will be networked to Goldcrest’s base in Manhattan.
—Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
The company also has a global diversity and inclusion council and employee networking groups.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
At this event, attendees can network with entrepreneurs involved with EY’s thriving communities.
—John Hall, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'network.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near network
Cite this Entry
“Network.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/network. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
network
1 of 2 noun
net·work
ˈnet-ˌwərk
1
: a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross with even spacings
2
: a system of lines or channels resembling a network
3
: a group or system of related or connected parts
especially
: a group of connected radio or television stations
4
: a system of computers connected by communications lines
network
2 of 2 verb1
: to cover with or join into a network
2
: to join together in a network
networked the classroom's computers
Medical Definition
network
noun
net·work
ˈnet-ˌwərk
1
: a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross at regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings
2
: a system of lines or channels resembling a network
a network of veins
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