plural VPNs
: a private computer network that functions over a public network : virtual private network
As more employees connect to their office networks from home, they expose the company to attack. A VPN lets companies use the Internet as a secure pathway into their existing network.Michael Bertin
VPNs help cloak your browsing information from your internet provider. When you use VPN software, your device connects to a VPN provider's servers. That way, all your web traffic passes through the VPN provider's internet connection.Brian X. Chen

Examples of VPN in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Google One adds photo editing tools, a mobile VPN, and priority customer support. PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 What started as Proton Mail, now the world's largest encrypted email service, has blossomed into an ecosystem of privacy-centric products including Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass. Hessie Jones, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 This suite also includes dark web monitoring, identity theft remediation, a full-fledged VPN, and more. PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024 From simulations to race day, AT&T’s advanced network technology, including fiber and Global VPN, transforms how Oracle Red Bull Racing collects, analyzes and utilizes data. Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for VPN 

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of VPN was in 1984

Dictionary Entries Near VPN

Cite this Entry

“VPN.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/VPN. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

VPN

noun
ˌvē-ˌpē-ˈen
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!