router

1 of 3

noun (1)

rout·​er ˈrau̇-tər How to pronounce router (audio)
: one that routs: such as
a
: a routing plane
b
: a machine with a revolving vertical spindle and cutter for milling out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 3

noun (2)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər How to pronounce router (audio)
ˈrau̇-
: one that routes
especially : a device that mediates the transmission routes of data packets over an electronic communications network (such as the Internet)

router

3 of 3

noun (3)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər How to pronounce router (audio)
ˈrau̇-
: a horse trained for distance races

Examples of router 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.
Noun
In the case of an outage that disables mobile networks, Uplink routers—often backed by batteries or operating on local mesh—can keep neighborhoods connected. Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 Those first appearances will be in early 2023; at this writing, router maker TP-Link had just announced a slate of pricey Archer router and Deco mesh Wi-Fi 7 gear to debut in Q1. Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025 Hartford Courant This open alcove will house the optical network terminal (ONT) and the wireless router. Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025 This malware allows cyber actors to install proxies on unsuspecting victim routers and conduct cyber crimes anonymously. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for router

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

rout entry 4 + -er entry 2

Noun (2)

route entry 2 + -er entry 2

Noun (3)

route entry 1 (in sense "race of a mile or more") + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1818, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1903, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of router was in 1818

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Router.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/router. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

router

1 of 2 noun
rout·​er ˈrau̇t-ər How to pronounce router (audio)
: a machine for cutting out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 2 noun
rout·​er ˈrüt-ər How to pronounce router (audio)
ˈrau̇t-
: one that routes
especially : a device that sends data from one place to another within a computer network or between computer networks

More from Merriam-Webster on router

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!