Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An openwork fabric or structure in which cords, threads, or wires cross at regular intervals.
  • noun Something resembling an openwork fabric or structure in form or concept, especially.
  • noun A system of lines or channels that cross or interconnect.
  • noun A complex, interconnected group or system.
  • noun An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.
  • noun A chain of radio or television broadcasting stations linked by wire or microwave relay.
  • noun A company that produces the programs for these stations.
  • noun A group or system of electric components and connecting circuitry designed to function in a specific manner.
  • noun Computers A system of computers interconnected by telephone wires or other means in order to share information.
  • intransitive verb To cover with an openwork fabric or structure.
  • intransitive verb To broadcast over a radio or television network.
  • intransitive verb To interconnect as components in a group or system.
  • intransitive verb Computers To connect (computers) into a network.
  • intransitive verb To interact or engage in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Anything formed in the manner or presenting the appearance of a net or of netting; work made of intersecting lines which form meshes or open spaces like those of a net; an openwork or reticulated fabric, structure, or appearance; interlacement; technically, anastomosis; inosculation; rete: as, a network of veins or nerves; a network of railways. See cut under latticeleaf.
  • noun Netting decorated with darned work or other needlework. Compare net embroidery, under net.
  • noun Work in metal or other tenacious and ductile material resembling a net in having large openings divided by slender solid parts. Compare fretwork.
  • noun Ornamental threadwork used as a ground for various kinds of embroidery, especially when a set of parallel threads are made into a netting by other threads worked across them with the needle.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To connect together into a network.
  • intransitive verb To take steps to make and cultivate the acquaintance of people who can be helpful to oneself, especially in finding new employment, advancing to a higher position in one's occupation, or exchanging information.
  • noun 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.
  • noun Any system of lines or channels interlacing or crossing like the fabric of a net
  • noun (Computers) A system of computers linked together by communications channels allowing the exchange of data between the linked computers.
  • noun (Radio, Television) A group of transmitting stations connected by communications channels that permit the same program to be broadcast simultaneously from multiple stations over a very wide area;
  • noun (Electricity, Electronics) Any arrangement of electrical devices or elements connected together by conducting wires.
  • noun A group of buildings connected by means of transportation and communication between them, and controlled by a central organization for a common purpose.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A fabric or structure of fibrous elements attached to each other at regular intervals.
  • noun Any interconnected group or system
  • noun A directory of people maintained for their advancement
  • noun broadcasting A group of affiliated television stations that broadcast common programs from a parent company.
  • noun computing Multiple computers and other devices connected together to share information
  • verb intransitive To interact socially for the purpose of getting connections or personal advancement.
  • verb transitive To connect two or more computers or other computerized devices.
  • verb transitive To interconnect a group or system.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun (electronics) a system of interconnected electronic components or circuits
  • noun an interconnected system of things or people
  • noun an open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together at regular intervals
  • verb communicate with and within a group
  • noun a system of intersecting lines or channels
  • noun (broadcasting) a communication system consisting of a group of broadcasting stations that all transmit the same programs

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

net + work

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Examples

  • Android EVO 4G runs on 3G & 4G network,  iPhone runs only on 3G only,  has ZEROOOO 4G and can't run on any 4G network at all.

    ARN News 2010

  • The term network cloud is a jargon coined by DoCoMo as I mentioned at the outset.

    unknown title 2011

  • The Suburban train network is being planned in conjunction with the route of the Metropolitan Ring Road and of the planned "bullet" train link between Mexico City and Guadalajara.

    Lloyd Mexico Economic Report July 2003 2006

  • The Suburban train network is being planned in conjunction with the route of the Metropolitan Ring Road and of the planned "bullet" train link between Mexico City and Guadalajara.

    Lloyd Mexico Economic Report July 2003 2006

  • The term network of positive force (bsod-nams-kyi tshogs, collection of merit) appears as a technical term only in reference to an enlightenment-building network of positive potential, built up with bodhichitta and resulting in enlightenment.

    The Mechanism of Karma: The Mahayana Presentation, Except for Gelug Prasangika ��� Session Three: The Aftermath of Karma 2008

  • Locking down the definition of a network into one narrow avenue doesn't do anything to enhance my understanding and, in my view, actually leads to greater misunderstanding when the term network is used by people who may not be "in the know" about how the term is being redefined.

    Networks are Groups Darren Kuropatwa 2006

  • The term network of positive force (bsod-nams-kyi tshogs, collection of merit) appears as a technical term only in reference to an enlightenment-building network of positive force, built up with bodhichitta and resulting in enlightenment.

    Logical Pervasions of the Technical Terms for the Different Types of Karmic Aftermath 2004

  • Economists use the term network effects to refer to the way the value of a product or service increases in tandem with the number of people who use it.

    Impact Lab Zeus 2010

  • In general, the term network can refer to any interconnected group or system.

    Programmers Heaven latest news 2009

  • •CBS won't have new episodes of the former NBC stalwart Medium (10 ET/PT) until fall, but the network is already working repeats into its rotation.

    Critic's Corner Tuesday 2009

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