network
[ net-wurk ]
/ ˈnɛtˌwɜrk /
noun
verb (used without object)
to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position: His business lunches were taken up with networking.
verb (used with object)
historical usage of network
Network is an obvious compound of the nouns
net and
work. Originally, in the 16th century, it referred to anything made of threads or wires or suchlike in the pattern of intersecting lines or meshes resembling a net.
Through different eras, network developed senses to reflect the modes of human connection prevalent at the time. Network in the sense “natural features forming a chain, as islands, or a man-made system of interconnecting railroads, canals, telegraphs, or telephones” dates from the 19th century. The sense “a system to broadcast radio and television signals by many transmitters over a very wide area” dates from before World War I. The meaning “system of interconnected computers” dates from the 1960s, while the sense of a “group of individuals having a common interest” is earlier, from the 1940s.
Through different eras, network developed senses to reflect the modes of human connection prevalent at the time. Network in the sense “natural features forming a chain, as islands, or a man-made system of interconnecting railroads, canals, telegraphs, or telephones” dates from the 19th century. The sense “a system to broadcast radio and television signals by many transmitters over a very wide area” dates from before World War I. The meaning “system of interconnected computers” dates from the 1960s, while the sense of a “group of individuals having a common interest” is earlier, from the 1940s.
OTHER WORDS FROM network
net·work·er, noun non·net·work, adjective sub·net·work, noun su·per·net·work, nounWords nearby network
Example sentences from the Web for network
British Dictionary definitions for network
network
/ (ˈnɛtˌwɜːk) /
noun
verb
Medical definitions for network
network
[ nĕt′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.
Scientific definitions for network
network
[ nĕt′wûrk′ ]
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.