Network definition | Dictionary.com

net⋅work

[net-wurk]

–noun

1.	any netlike combination of filaments, lines, veins, passages, or the like: a network of arteries; a network of sewers under the city.

Radio and Television.

a.	a group of transmitting stations linked by wire or microwave relay so that the same program can be broadcast or telecast by all.

b.	a company or organization that provides programs to be broadcast over these stations: She was hired by the network as program coordinator.

3.	a system of interrelated buildings, offices, stations, etc., esp. over a large area or throughout a country, territory, region, etc.: a network of supply depots.

4.	Electricity. an arrangement of conducting elements, as resistors, capacitors, or inductors, connected by conducting wire.

5.	a netting or net.

6.	Telecommunications, Computers. a system containing any combination of computers, computer terminals, printers, audio or visual display devices, or telephones interconnected by telecommunication equipment or cables: used to transmit or receive information.

7.	an association of individuals having a common interest, formed to provide mutual assistance, helpful information, or the like: a network of recent college graduates.

–verb (used without object)

8.	to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, esp. in finding employment or moving to a higher position: His business lunches were taken up with networking.

–verb (used with object)

9.	to place (as a program from a local radio or television station) in or on a network: The station will try to network the local cooking show.

10.	to connect to a network.

11.	to distribute widely: We charge a small fee for networking your résumé.

12.	to cover with or as if with a network: to network a bay with buoy markers.

13.	to organize into a network: to network the state's independent stations.

14.	to broadcast (a program) over a radio or television network.

Origin:
1550–60; 1910–15 for def. 2; net ¹ + work

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

net·work (nět'wûrk') Pronunciation Key
n.

An openwork fabric or structure in which cords, threads, or wires cross at regular intervals.
Something resembling an openwork fabric or structure in form or concept, especially:
1. A system of lines or channels that cross or interconnect: a network of railroads.
2. A complex, interconnected group or system: an espionage network.
3. An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.
4. A chain of radio or television broadcasting stations linked by wire or microwave relay.
5. A company that produces the programs for these stations.
6. A group or system of electric components and connecting circuitry designed to function in a specific manner.
7. Computer Science A system of computers interconnected by telephone wires or other means in order to share information. Also called net¹.
1. A chain of radio or television broadcasting stations linked by wire or microwave relay.
2. A company that produces the programs for these stations.
3. A group or system of electric components and connecting circuitry designed to function in a specific manner.
4. Computer Science A system of computers interconnected by telephone wires or other means in order to share information. Also called net¹.
1. A group or system of electric components and connecting circuitry designed to function in a specific manner.
2. Computer Science A system of computers interconnected by telephone wires or other means in order to share information. Also called net¹.

v. net·worked, net·work·ing, net·works

v. tr.

To cover with or as if with an openwork fabric or structure.
To broadcast over a radio or television network.
Computer Science To connect (computers) into a network.

v. intr.
To interact or engage in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support.
net'work'er n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
network (n.)

"net-like arrangement of threads, wires, etc.," 1560, from net (n.) + work (n.). Extended sense of "any complex, interlocking system" is from 1839 (orig. in ref. to transport by rivers, canals, and railways). Meaning "broadcasting system of multiple transmitters" is from 1914; sense of "interconnected group of people" is from 1947. The verb, in ref. to computers, is from 1972; in ref. to persons, it is attested from 1980s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

network
noun
1.	an interconnected system of things or people; "he owned a network of shops"; "retirement meant dropping out of a whole network of people who had been part of my life"; "tangled in a web of cloth"
2.	(broadcasting) a communication system consisting of a group of broadcasting stations that all transmit the same programs; "the networks compete to broadcast important sports events"
3.	an open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together at regular intervals [syn: net]
4.	a system of intersecting lines or channels; "a railroad network"; "a network of canals"
5.	(electronics) a system of interconnected electronic components or circuits
verb
1.	communicate with and within a group; "You have to network if you want to get a good job"

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

network (nět'wûrk') Pronunciation Key

A system of computers and peripherals, such as printers, that are linked together. A network can consist of as few as two computers connected with cables or millions of computers that are spread over a large geographical area and are connected by telephone lines, fiberoptic cables, or radio waves. The Internet is an example of very large network. See more at LAN , WAN.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
network

A system of computers that are joined together so that they can communicate by exchanging information and sharing resources. (See Internet and lan.)

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

network net·work (nět'wûrk')
n.

A fabric or structure in which cords, threads, or wires cross at regular intervals.
A body structure resembling such a fabric or structure.

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: net·work
Pronunciation: 'net-"w&rk
Function: noun
1 : a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross at regular intervalsand are knotted or secured at the crossings
2 : a system of lines or channels resembling a network network of veins>

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

network networking
Hardware and software data communication systems.
The OSI seven layer model attempts to provide a way of partitioning any computer network into independent modules from the lowest (physical) layer to the highest (application) layer. Many different specifications exist at each of these layers.
Networks are often also classified according to their geographical extent: local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN) and also according to the protocols used.
See BITNET, Ethernet, Internet, Novell, PSTN, network, the.
[Tanenbaum, A., "Computer Networks; 2nd ed.", Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1989.]
(1995-03-10)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Network

Net"work`\, n. 1. A fabric of threads, cords, or wires crossing each other at certain intervals, and knotted or secured at the crossings, thus leaving spaces or meshes between them.

2. Any system of lines or channels interlacing or crossing like the fabric of a net; as, a network of veins; a network of railroads.

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