Meaning & use
network
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Meanings
nouncountable
A set of things, places or people that are joined to one another so that something can pass between them.
Grammar: Usually countable: a rail network, two networks.
Patterns
- a network of something
- a network between someone
A network of cables runs under the old city streets.
The country has an excellent rail network.
She relied on a small network of neighbors for childcare.
nouncountablecomputing
A group of computers or devices linked together so they can share data and connect to the internet.
Grammar: Often follows words like home, wireless or office.
Patterns
- connect to the network
- a network of computers
The office network went down for an hour this morning.
I can't join the network because I forgot the password.
nouncountable
A company that sends television or radio programs to many local stations or channels.
Grammar: Often used in the plural or with a name: a TV network.
Patterns
- on a network
The show moved from a small cable channel to a major network.
Three networks covered the election live.
verbintransitive
To meet and talk with people in order to make useful professional or social contacts.
Grammar: No object; often followed by with: network with other designers.
Patterns
- network with someone
- network at something
I spent the conference networking with other teachers.
It is hard to network when you are shy.
Word forms
| plural | networks |
|---|---|
| third person singular | networks |
| past tense | networked |
| past participle | networked |
| -ing form | networking |
Common combinations
- social network
- Her social network helped her find a flat quickly.
- wireless network
- The café has a free wireless network.
- support network
- A strong support network makes difficult times easier.
- network of roads
- A dense network of roads connects the villages.
- network with colleagues
- He used the lunch break to network with colleagues.
Synonyms and how they differ
- web
- Web suggests many threads crossing in a loose, tangled pattern, whereas network sounds more organized and functional.
- system
- System stresses that the parts work as a whole, while network stresses the links between the parts.
- mingle
- Mingle just means to mix socially; network implies a professional goal.
Word family
- networking noun
- the activity of building contacts
- networked adjective
- connected as part of a network
- internetwork verb
- to link separate networks together
Commonly confused: network or net?
network vs net
A net is a mesh of cord or wire; network is the connected system, though net can be informal for the internet.
Practice
At the careers fair, Maya tried to ___ with people from the engineering firms.
Choose one answer.
After 'to', the base verb 'network' is needed, followed by 'with'. 'Networking' is the wrong form and 'net' does not mean building contacts.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “network”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.