networknoun [ C ]
uk/ˈnet.wɜːk/us/ˈnet.wɝːk/B2 a large system consisting of many similar parts that are connected together to allow movement or communication between or along the parts, or between the parts and a control centre:
a television network
a road/rail network
Massive investment is needed to modernize the country's phone network.
We could reduce our costs by developing a more efficient distribution network.
a network of spies/a spy network
a number of computers that are connected together so that they can share information:
We've just spent £1.9 million on improving our computer network.
More examples
- It is thought that they worked in collusion with the terrorist network.
- The government has announced an ambitious programme to modernize the railway network.
- Beneath the city lies a labyrinthine network of tunnels.
- This new product line should be able to plug into our existing distribution network.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Communications - general words
- broadband
- buzz
- cable
- caller ID
- communication
- constructive interference
- cybernetics
- dead zone
- destructive interference
- Entryphone
- fibre optics
- fibre-optic cable
- interference
- microwave
- multimedia
- optical fibre
- pick sth up
- relay
- smart card
- telegraph
See more results »
networkverb
uk/ˈnet.wɜːk/us/ˈnet.wɝːk/network verb (COMPUTERS)
[ T ] to connect computers together so that they can share information:
Our computer system consists of about 20 personal computers networked to a powerful file-server.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Operating computers
- aliasing
- always-on
- black hat
- BMP
- caps lock (key)
- computerize
- cut
- enter
- format
- function
- hacker
- hash
- keyboarder
- punch
- roll (sth) over sth
- scroll bar
- title bar
- touchscreen
- uninstall
- zip
See more results »
network verb (MEET PEOPLE)
[ I ] to meet people who might be useful to know, especially in your job:
I don't really enjoy these conferences, but they're a good opportunity to network.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Creating alliances
- align
- align yourself with sth/sb
- alliance
- ally
- ally yourself to/with sb
- associate
- associate with sb
- attach
- attach yourself to sb/sth
- cosiness
- force
- go
- go in on sth
- hobnob
- integrate
- join
- pair
- pair sb off
See more results »
networking
noun [ U ] uk/ˈnet.wɜː.kɪŋ//ˈnet.wɝː.kɪŋ/
Students find networking essential to getting the right job.