peer-to-peer

adjective

ˌpir-tə-ˈpir

: relating to, using, or being a network by which computers operated by individuals can share information and resources directly without relying on a dedicated central server (see server sense 6)

In peer-to-peer computing, every client can be a server. You string together two or more computers, and everyone can share files, programs, drives …, printers, and anything else that's attached.—

Steve Bass

: existing or done between peers

In 2010, the Texas National Guard implemented its peer-to-peer counseling initiative, and since then more than 800 National Guard troops have been trained to identify warning signs of mental distress and refer soldiers for more intensive care.—

Jeremy Schwartz

George Washington's resident advisers are undergraduates who live in student housing so they can have informal, peer-to-peer mentoring relationships with other undergraduates, to whom they serve as role models.—

Peter Schmidt

Did you know?

The term peer-to-peer is a relatively recent addition to the English language, being little more than a half-century old. In its earliest known uses from the 1960s, it referred to something that occurs directly between human peers, people who are similar in age, grade, or status. It can still be found in this use in phrases such as "peer-to-peer tutoring." With the emergence of computer networking, peer-to-peer began to be used in reference to a system of computers that are able to communicate directly with one another without the mediation of a centralized server. Since the turn of the 21st century, peer-to-peer lending—the borrowing and lending of money through online services—has become increasingly common. You might also encounter peer-to-peer in the techy abbreviated form P2P, as in "P2P networking."

Examples of peer-to-peer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In addition, the VC facilitates peer-to-peer connections between CEOs, providing a means for founders to talk to each other about problems and issues. —

Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Betfair Exchange, the biggest U.K. peer-to-peer betting platform, predicted on its temperature gauge Wednesday morning that Trump would likely win. —

Jim Sergent, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024 Mobile check deposit and integration with peer-to-peer payment apps, such as Zelle, are two common features to look for. —

Cnbc Select, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024 The program will offer a free online portal, podcast series, and peer-to-peer network targeted at screen sector small and medium-sized enterprises and department heads across production, animation, VFX, gaming, distribution and exhibition. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for peer-to-peer

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peer-to-peer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.