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¹web

noun \ˈweb\

: a net made from silk threads woven together by a spider

: a complicated arrangement or pattern of things

: an area of skin that is between the fingers or toes of an animal or bird (such as a duck)

Full Definition of WEB

: a fabric on a loom or in process of being removed from a loom

a : cobweb, spiderweb

b : a network of silken thread spun especially by the larvae of various insects (as a tent caterpillar) and usually serving as a nest or shelter

: a tissue or membrane of an animal or plant; especially : that uniting fingers or toes either at their bases (as in humans) or for a greater part of their length (as in many waterbirds)

a : a thin metal sheet, plate, or strip

b : the plate connecting the upper and lower flanges of a girder or rail

c : the arm of a crank

: something resembling a web:

a : snare, entanglement <a web of intrigue> <ensnarled in a web of folly — D. A. Stockman>

b : an intricate pattern or structure suggestive of something woven : network

: the series of barbs on each side of the shaft of a feather : vane

a : a continuous sheet of paper manufactured or undergoing manufacture on a paper machine

b : a roll of paper for use in a rotary printing press

: the part of a ribbed vault between the ribs

capitalized : world wide web

— webbed \ˈwebd\ adjective

— web·like \ˈweb-ˌlīk\ adjective

See web defined for English-language learners

See web defined for kids

Origin of WEB

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old Norse vefr web, Old English wefan to weave

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WEB

Synonyms: entanglement, mesh(es), morass, net, noose, quagmire, quicksand, snare, tanglement, toil(s), trap

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

Rhymes with WEB

bleb, deb, ebb, neb, pleb, reb, Reb

²web

verb

webbedweb·bing

Definition of WEB

intransitive verb

: to construct or form a web

transitive verb

: to cover with a web or network

: ensnare, entangle

: to provide with a web

First Known Use of WEB

1604

WEB Defined for Kids

¹web

noun \ˈweb\

Definition of WEB for Kids

: spiderweb, cobweb

: a network of threads spun especially by the larvae of certain insects (as tent caterpillars) and usually serving as a nest or shelter

: something that catches and holds like a spider's web <He was caught in a web of lies.>

: a complex pattern like something woven <a web of trails>

: a layer of skin or tissue that joins the toes of an animal (as a duck)

cap : world wide web

²web

verb

webbedweb·bing

Definition of WEB for Kids

: to join or surround with strands woven together

Medical Dictionary

web

noun \ˈweb\

Medical Definition of WEB

: a tissue or membrane of an animal or plant; especially : that uniting fingers or toes either at their bases (as in humans) or for a greater part of their length (as in many waterbirds)

—webbed \ˈwebd\ adjective