router

1 of 3

noun (1)

rout·​er ˈrau̇-tər 

: one that routs: such as

a

: a routing plane

b

: a machine with a revolving vertical spindle and cutter for milling out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 3

noun (2)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər 

ˈrau̇-

: one that routes

especially : a device that mediates the transmission routes of data packets over an electronic communications network (such as the Internet)

router

3 of 3

noun (3)

rout·​er ˈrü-tər 

ˈrau̇-

: a horse trained for distance races

Examples of router in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In addition to a safe, private online experience, this VPN travel router blocks those intrusive ads (even the YouTube ones) that slow down your browser. —New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2024

This is our top mesh Wi-Fi router system recommendation because of its speedy performance, great range, and extra features that don't require a subscription. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 20 Dec. 2024

Beyond cybersecurity issues, the Justice Department is probing TP-Link’s pricing strategies, investigating whether the company’s practice of selling routers below production costs violates U.S. antitrust laws. —Lars Daniel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Will China's Xi Jinping attend Trump's inauguration? 07:01 TP-Link says its routers do not account for a majority of the internet router devices in U.S. homes and small businesses. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

rout entry 4 + -er entry 2

Noun (2)

route entry 2 + -er entry 2

Noun (3)

route entry 1 (in sense "race of a mile or more") + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1818, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1903, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

router

1 of 2 noun

rout·​er ˈrau̇t-ər 

: a machine for cutting out the surface of wood or metal

router

2 of 2 noun

rout·​er ˈrüt-ər 

ˈrau̇t-

: one that routes

especially : a device that sends data from one place to another within a computer network or between computer networks