Reading Theme:
Network Meaning: Examples, Synonyms & Usage Guide (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：interconnected computing system (network)
network
/ˈnet.wɜːrk/
n.
a group of computers, phones, and servers that are connected and can talk to each other, like the internet or your home Wi-Fi.
interconnected computing system
➕
/ˌɪn.tər.kəˈnek.tɪd kəmˈpjuː.tɪŋ ˈsɪs.təm/
n.
A group of computers, phones, and servers connected together to share data and resources.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Net + work, indicating a system of interconnected strands.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a tangled fishing net with many knots. Each knot is a device, and the string is the connection.
📖 Example
My phone automatically connects to the home Wi-Fi network when I walk in the door.
My phone automatically connects to the home Wi-Fi network when I walk in the door.
🔗 Collocations
social network – A network of personal contacts and relationships.
computer network – A system of interconnected computers.
network connection – A link that allows data exchange between devices.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
standalone device (n.) – A single device not connected to any network.
🌱 Derivatives
networking (n.) – The action of interacting with others to exchange information and develop contacts.
networked (adj.) – Connected to a network.
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'network' dates back to the 16th century, originally describing a net-like fabric. Its modern computing sense emerged in the 1960s with ARPANET, the precursor to the internet.
Meaning 2：social support system (network)
network
/ˈnet.wɜːrk/
n.
the group of people you know, like friends, colleagues, and business contacts, who can help each other.
social support system
➕
/ˈsoʊ.ʃəl səˈpɔːrt ˈsɪs.təm/
n.
A group of people you know who can help or support each other professionally or personally.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
She found her new job through her professional network of former classmates.
Via her professional contacts from school, she obtained a new job.
🔗 Collocations
professional network – A group of work-related contacts.
social network – An online platform or personal web of friends.
network of contacts – A collection of acquaintances used for opportunities.
🔄 Synonyms
contacts (n.pl.) – People you know who can be useful.
connections (n.pl.) – Relationships with influential people.
circle (n.) – A group of people with shared interests.
🚫 Antonyms
isolation (n.) – State of being alone without social ties.
🌱 Derivatives
networking (n.) – Meeting people to form beneficial relationships.
Meaning 3：transportation grid (network)
network
/ˈnet.wɜːrk/
n.
a system of connected roads, railways, or airline routes that cover an area.
transportation grid
➕
/ˌtræn.spɔːrˈteɪ.ʃən ɡrɪd/
n.
A system of interconnected roads, railways, or routes that allow movement across an area.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The city's subway network makes it very easy to get around without a car.
The urban subway system enables convenient car-free travel.
🔗 Collocations
road network – The system of roads in a region.
railway network – The interconnected train lines.
transport network – All modes of transport linking places.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
dead-end (n.) – A road or path with no outlet, not part of a network.
Wordbook
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