1
a
: an open-meshed fabric twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals
b
: something made of net: such as
(1)
: a device for catching fish, birds, or insects
(2)
: a fabric barricade (see barricade entry 2 sense 1a) 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 (see goal sense 2a) in various games (such as soccer or hockey)
shot the puck into the net
2
: an entrapping device or situation
caught in the net of suspicious circumstances
cannot escape the net of circumstances in which he is caught—
W. P. Webb
W. P. Webb3
: something resembling a net in reticulation (as of lines, fibers, or figures)
the net of global communication
… the systemic net of restrictions …—John Edgar Wideman
John Edgar Wideman4
a
: a group of communications stations operating under unified control
Army radio net
b
5
or less commonly Net
: internet
world news on the Net
netted; netting
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
netter
noun
Synonyms
Examples of net in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the basketball didn't go into the basket—it just hit the net
drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police
caught in a net of palace intrigues
Verb (1)
the kite was stubbornly netted in the branches of the willow tree
a police sting that netted drug dealers from all parts of the city
Adjective
The net result of the new bridge will be fewer traffic jams.
Verb (2)
the entrepreneur netted millions on that deal
Noun (2)
his net for the year was about 60% of his total income
the net of the report on race relations is that things are better but not good enough
Recent Examples on the WebDave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2024
Use dip nets and seine nets to study the aquatic life living in this freshwater, riverine ecosystem.
—Shark Week Paddle, 9-11 a.m. July 23, Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, Sleepy Hollow Access, 3251 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2024
Scott Wartman, The Courier-Journal, 20 June 2024
Quaid wore a burgundy suit matched with a black bowtie while Doumit stunned in a shimmering gold, netted dress.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 18 June 2024
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2024
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine was a net exporter of electricity, and had even been able to resume some exports during wartime.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for net 
Noun
Next came something more improbable: A billiard-shot angle where the 8-ball ricocheted off goalie Sergei Bobrovsky’s skates into the net.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2024
Use dip nets and seine nets to study the aquatic life living in this freshwater, riverine ecosystem.
—Shark Week Paddle, 9-11 a.m. July 23, Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, Sleepy Hollow Access, 3251 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2024
Verb
The book, also made into a Netflix movie, netted him $121,376 in royalties, based on the report Vance filed in October 2023.
—Scott Wartman, The Courier-Journal, 20 June 2024
Quaid wore a burgundy suit matched with a black bowtie while Doumit stunned in a shimmering gold, netted dress.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 18 June 2024
Adjective
Every year from 2015 to 2022, California experienced net negative migration.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2024
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine was a net exporter of electricity, and had even been able to resume some exports during wartime.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for net
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'net.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near net
Cite this Entry
“Net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/net. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
net
1 of 5 noun1
: a fabric made of threads, cords, ropes, or wires that weave in and out with much open space
2
: something made of net: as
a
: a device for catching fish, birds, or insects
b
: a fabric barricade which divides a court in half (as in tennis or badminton)
c
: the fabric that encloses the sides and back of the goal (as in hockey or soccer)
3
: something that traps like a net
a net of thorns
4
: a network of lines, fibers, or figures
5
often capitalized
: internet
netted
adjective
ˈnet-əd
net
2 of 5 verb
netted; netting
1
: to cover with or as if with a net
2
: to catch in or as if in a net
net fish
3
: to hit the ball into the net in a racket game
netter
noun
net
3 of 5 adjective
: free from all charges or deductions
net profit
net weight
net
4 of 5 verb
netted; netting
: to gain or produce as profit
netted five dollars on the sale
net
5 of 5 noun
: a net amount, profit, weight, or price
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