First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1net
noun \ˈnet\
Definition of NET
1
a : an open-meshed fabric twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals b : something made of net: as (1) : a device for catching fish, birds, or insects (2) : a fabric barricade which divides a court in half (as in tennis or volleyball) and over which a ball or shuttlecock must be hit to be in play (3) : the fabric that encloses the sides and back of the goal in various games (as soccer or hockey)
2
: an entrapping device or situation <caught in the net of suspicious circumstances>
3
: something resembling a net in reticulation (as of lines, fibers, or figures)
4
a : a group of communications stations operating under unified control b : network 4
5
often capitalized : internet
— net·less \-ləs\ adjective
— net·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— net·ty \ˈne-tē\ adjective
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Origin of NET
Middle English nett, from Old English; akin to Old High German nezzi net
2net
verb
net·tednet·ting
Definition of NET
transitive verb
1
: to cover or enclose with or as if with a net
2
: to catch in or as if in a net
3
: to cover with or as if with a network
4
a : to hit (a ball) into the net for the loss of a point in a racket game b : to hit (a ball or puck) into the goal for a score (as in hockey or soccer); also : to score (a point or goal) by netting a ball or puck
— net·ter noun
First Known Use of NET
1593
3net
adjective
—used to describe the weight of something without its packaging or container
: after everything is completed
Full Definition of NET
1
: free from all charges or deductions: as a : remaining after the deduction of all charges, outlay, or loss <net earnings> <net worth> — compare gross b : excluding all tare <net weight>
See net defined for English-language learners
Origin of NET
Middle English, clean, pure, from Anglo-French — more at neat
First Known Use: 15th century
4net
verb
net·tednet·ting
5net
noun
Definition of NET
1
: a net amount, profit, weight, or price
2
: the score of a golfer in a handicap match after deducting his or her handicap from the gross score
First Known Use of NET
circa 1904
NET[1] Defined for Kids
1net
noun \ˈnet\
Definition of NET for Kids
1
: a device made of strands that weave in and out with open spaces between and used to hold or catch something
2
: a fabric made of strands of thread, cord, rope, or wire that weave in and out with much open space <a net for catching fish>
3
: the object placed between players in some games (as tennis)
4
: the area that serves as the goal in some games (as soccer and hockey)
5
often cap : internet
6
: network 1 <a net of passageways>
7
: something that traps and is difficult to escape from <They were caught in a net of lies.>
2net
verb
net·tednet·ting
Definition of NET for Kids
1
: to cover with or as if with a net
2
: to catch in or as if in a net
3net
adjective
Definition of NET for Kids
: remaining after all charges or expenses have been subtracted <We made a net profit of eight dollars.>
4net
verb
net·tednet·ting
Definition of NET for Kids
: to gain or produce as profit : clear <Each sale nets ten cents.>
Medical Dictionary
net
noun \ˈnet\
Medical Definition of NET
: network <in the portal system, blood passes through two capillary nets—E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu>
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