NETWORK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does network mean? 

• NETWORK (noun)
  The noun NETWORK has 5 senses:

1. an interconnected system of things or people

2. (broadcasting) a communication system consisting of a group of broadcasting stations that all transmit the same programs

3. an open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together at regular intervals

4. a system of intersecting lines or channels

5. (electronics) a system of interconnected electronic components or circuits

  Familiarity information: NETWORK used as a noun is common.

• NETWORK (verb)
  The verb NETWORK has 1 sense:

1. communicate with and within a group

  Familiarity information: NETWORK used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NETWORK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An interconnected system of things or people

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

network; web

Context example:

tangled in a web of cloth

Hypernyms ("network" is a kind of...):

scheme; system (a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "network"):

reticulum (any fine network (especially one in the body composed of cells or blood vessels))

espionage network (a network of spies)

old boy network (an exclusive informal network linking members of a social class or profession or organization in order to provide connections and information and favors (especially in business or politics))

support system (a network of facilities and people who interact and remain in informal communication for mutual assistance; a network that enables you to live in a certain style)

Derivation:

network (communicate with and within a group)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(broadcasting) a communication system consisting of a group of broadcasting stations that all transmit the same programs

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

the networks compete to broadcast important sports events

Hypernyms ("network" is a kind of...):

communication equipment; communication system (facility consisting of the physical plants and equipment for disseminating information)

Domain category:

broadcasting (taking part in a radio or tv program)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together at regular intervals

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

mesh; meshing; meshwork; net; network

Hypernyms ("network" is a kind of...):

cloth; fabric; material; textile (artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers)

Meronyms (parts of "network"):

backbone (the part of a network that connects other networks together)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "network"):

gauze; netting; veiling (a net of transparent fabric with a loose open weave)

hairnet (a small net that some women wear over their hair to keep it in place)

reseau (a net or mesh foundation for lace)

safety net (a large strong net to catch circus acrobats who fall or jump from a trapeze)

save-all (a net hung between ship and pier while loading a ship)

snood (an ornamental net in the shape of a bag that confines a woman's hair; pins or ties at the back of the head)

spark arrester; sparker (a wire net to stop sparks from an open fireplace or smokestack)

tulle (a fine (often starched) net used for veils or tutus or gowns)

grillwork; wirework (mesh netting made of wires)

chicken wire (a galvanized wire network with a hexagonal mesh; used to build fences)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A system of intersecting lines or channels

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

a network of canals

Hypernyms ("network" is a kind of...):

system (instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "network"):

reseau (a network of fine lines used by astronomers as a reference for measurements on star photographs)

graticule; reticle; reticule (a network of fine lines, dots, cross hairs, or wires in the focal plane of the eyepiece of an optical instrument)

reticulation (an arrangement resembling a net or network)

Sense 5

Meaning:

(electronics) a system of interconnected electronic components or circuits

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

electronic network; network

Hypernyms ("network" is a kind of...):

system (instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity)

Domain category:

electronics (the branch of physics that deals with the emission and effects of electrons and with the use of electronic devices)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "network"):

computer network ((computer science) a network of computers)

information superhighway; superhighway (an extensive electronic network (such as the internet) used for the rapid transfer of sound and video and graphics in digital form)

early warning system (a network of radar installations designed to detect enemy missiles or aircraft while there is still time to intercept them)

• NETWORK (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they network    ... he / she / it networks   
Past simple: networked   
Past participle: networked   
-ing form: networking   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Communicate with and within a group

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

You have to network if you want to get a good job

Hypernyms (to "network" is one way to...):

communicate; intercommunicate (transmit thoughts or feelings)

Domain category:

computer science; computing (the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

network (an interconnected system of things or people)

 Context examples 

This allele, which encodes basigin protein, plays a role in the regulation of metalloprotease gene expression, embryo implantation, spermatogenesis and neural network formation.

(BSG wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

A network of blood vessels and tissue that is made up of closely spaced cells and helps keep harmful substances from reaching the brain.

(BBB, NCI Dictionary)

It consists of blood vessel sinuses and a network of hematopoietic cells which give rise to the red cells, white cells, and megakaryocytes.

(Bone marrow, NCI Thesaurus)

A capillary connects an arteriole (small artery) to a venule (small vein) to form a network of blood vessels in almost all parts of the body.

(Blood Capillary, NCI Dictionary)

Transcription factors tend to bind to similar DNA sequences and coordinate similar regulatory networks.

(Expanding Our Understanding of Genomics, NIH)

The irregular network or rows of fine ribonucleoprotein granules or microfilaments forming most of the nucleolus.

(Nucleolonema, NCI Thesaurus)

A network of nerves that sends signals from the spine to the arm and hand.

(Brachial plexus, NCI Dictionary)

"As a natural component of the anti-cancer immune network, unlike pharmacological inducers which carry associated toxicity and uncertainty, beta-GBP has no harmful properties," Professor Mallucci said.

(Molecule in Immune System Able to Trigger 'Suicide' of Cancerous Tumors, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

“Identifying that Rider activity is triggered by drought suggests that it can create new gene regulatory networks that would help a plant respond to drought,” said Benoit.

(Harnessing tomato jumping genes could help speed-breed drought-resistant crops, University of Cambridge)

Women’s depression levels, on the other hand, are more influenced by stressors stemming from relationships and the social networks they are embedded in.

(Depression - men far more at risk than women in deprived areas, University of Cambridge)