What does internet mean?
The internet is the worldwide network of connected computers and other devices that carries most of modern digital communication. It includes the web, email, instant messaging, streaming media, online games, and many other services. People use it to search for information, communicate, work, learn, shop, and access entertainment, but it also raises concerns about privacy, misinformation, security, and the reliability of online sources. The term refers both to the technical network and, by extension, to the communities and culture that have developed within it. Although people often use “internet” and “web” interchangeably, the distinction matters: the internet is the entire global communication system, while the web is one service running across it. The internet became a public and commercial infrastructure as network standards and personal connections spread worldwide.
nounThe global network of interconnected computer networks that enables communication and the sharing of information and services. The internet includes the web, email, streaming, messaging, and many other systems and services.
- The global network of interconnected computer networks used for communication, information sharing, and access to online services.
- The people, organizations, and communities that form or participate in online networks, in contexts such as internet culture or internet privacy.
"The research was available on the internet within minutes of being published."
"Millions of people use the internet to work, learn, communicate, and entertain themselves."
"Concerns about internet privacy have prompted new rules for handling personal data online."
The internet was once a research network linking universities and laboratories; its most influential expansion came when private networks adopted the common protocols that let them communicate seamlessly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does internet come from?
“Internet” is a shortened form of “inter-network,” referring to networks connected to one another. Its components reflect this idea: “inter-” means “between” or “among,” while “net” is a shortened form of “network.” The word developed in the late 20th century as computer networks began linking with one another, especially through common protocols such as TCP/IP. It belongs to a wider family of words using the Latin prefix inter-, including “interact,” “interstate,” and “intercity.”
How internet is actually used
Usually used with the definite article, as in “the internet,” because it refers to a unified global network. In informal uses, “internet” can mean online activity or the communities and culture formed online; it is broader than the web alone.
Easily confused with internet
The internet is the wider network of interconnected computer systems, while the web is one service that operates over it, accessed through linked pages and sites.