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
NETTY 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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